Douglas County officials review rising juvenile detention stays amid debate over empty new "kids jail"

Douglas County officials received a year-end review and recent snapshot of the Douglas County Youth Center (DCYC) population on Feb. 4, 2025, showing fewer juvenile citations and admissions than 2023 but a higher average daily population and longer lengths of stay.

The presentation to the Douglas County Board of Commissioners said juvenile citations fell from about 3,200 in 2023 to about 2,600 in 2024, and admissions to DCYC declined from 871 to 746. Despite that, average daily population in 2024 was 88 youth, up from 79 in 2023, and the average time in detention rose to about 68 days overall (156 days for youth in adult court; 48 days for juvenile-court youth).

The report noted several contributing details: on Jan. 13 the county had 95 youth in detention (42 charged in adult court, 50 in juvenile court), about 61 percent of youth had been detained more than 45 days, and 39 youth in the facility on Jan. 13 were readmitted within six months of a prior release. Race and gender disparities were flagged: staff said youth of color remained overrepresented in DCYC and that males comprised the overwhelming majority of the detained population.

Why it matters: commissioners said the data show a growing population held longer despite lower arrests, and some members pressed for using existing resources differently. Commissioner Cavanaugh said, "That place was obsolete when it was designed," referring to the new detention facility across the street that remains unused, and added that tens of millions were spent on it while the existing youth center needs upgrades.

Commissioner Rogers framed the central operational problem differently, focusing on length of stay: "I think the glaring statistic that stands out is the fact that, the length of stay has grown." Rogers and other commissioners said multiple parts of the juvenile system influence length of stay, including court orders, probation, and availability of placements.

Program updates: presenters described locally run diversion and supervision efforts. The HOME program reported 106 youth admitted in 2024, with males 79% of participants, and a successful-completion rate near 65% for program participants; the HOME program's average daily supervised population was about 23 in 2024. "During 2024, we had 106 youth admitted to the HOME program," the HOME program presenter said. The Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) director said the JAC's core purpose is screening and assessment "to try to divert those kids from the court process by supporting their risks and needs." The JAC reported 1,172 youth referred for assessment in 2024 and described recidivism and diversion statistics that differ in definition from DCYC recidivism figures.

Managers and staff asked the board for continued attention to service capacity and to post the full report for public review; staff said they would send the presentation materials electronically. Commissioners debated whether the county should rehabilitate the existing DCYC, open the newer facility, expand community services, or press other system partners (courts, probation, behavioral-health providers) to reduce length of stay.

Votes and formal actions at the meeting were routine and unanimous. The board approved minutes, claims and the consent agenda (which included acceptance of a $22,350 National Association of Drug Court Professionals training award for the Veterans Treatment Court; staff said none of that grant money will come from county funds). The board also voted to enter executive session for litigation, legal advice and contract negotiation during the meeting, and later reconvened and adjourned.

What remains unclear from the meeting record: commissioners repeatedly requested more granular or comparative data on recidivism definitions, placement availability and the interplay of court timelines and placement capacity; those were not resolved at the meeting and were referred back to staff for follow-up.

Ending: staff and commissioners said the full data package will be posted and circulated; several commissioners urged faster public posting so the community can see the underlying spreadsheets and program-level outcomes for diversion and stabilization services.