Juvenile Corrections seeks radio upgrades and $300,000 for substance-use treatment as mental‑health needs rise

The Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections requested a $380,000 one‑time radio upgrade and a $300,000 ongoing general‑fund appropriation for residential substance‑use disorder (SUD) treatment at a February 18 Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee hearing.

Budget analyst Noah Peterson told the committee the radio request would replace and program radios across the three state juvenile correction centers in Lewiston, Nampa and St. Anthony, and that a key feature is a “man down functionality that alerts staff to the location of an employee who is in need of assistance.” He said the radio request would bring St. Anthony up to parity with Lewiston and Nampa and cover programming costs for already‑acquired units.

Director Ashley Dowell, who led the agency’s presentation, emphasized rising behavioral‑health needs among youth in custody. “I am very grateful. We have an amazing, passionate, dedicated staff,” Dowell said, adding that the department is “concerned about just the level of mental health we're seeing in the youth with our facilities.” Dowell said staff are…