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Chester County highlights youth detention center programs, cites lower recidivism
Summary
County leaders heard an overview of services at the Chester County Youth Center, including education, medical care, reentry training and community programs; commissioners praised staff and noted favorable recidivism rates.
The Chester County Board of Commissioners heard a departmental spotlight on the Chester County Youth Center, where staff described education, medical and reentry services offered to youth detained at the facility.
Deb Macarelli, director of the Chester County Youth Center, told the commissioners the facility provides both secure detention and licensed shelter services for females, operates 60 beds (48 detention beds and 12 female shelter beds) and serves youth generally aged about 10 to 18. "We are 1 of the 13 licensed detention centers in the Commonwealth currently," Macarelli said. She noted the center offers education through the intermediate unit, 24/7 medical services from PrimeCare, electronic home monitoring, nonsecure shelter and respite services for females, and a variety of community programs including music therapy and a raised-bed garden program that produced more than 2,000 pounds of produce last year.
The center also runs a job-training reentry program and partners with outside groups; Macarelli said several area churches and organizations provide activities and that West Chester University’s music therapy program and the YMCA contribute programming. "We have a lot of interaction for the residents to expose them to other things that they might be able to do with their lives," she said. Macarelli described a National Association of Counties award–winning program with Brandywine SBCA that brings therapy dogs to the center weekly.
Commissioner Eric Rowe praised the youth center and referenced recidivism data shared with him by people involved in juvenile justice, saying the center "has much better recidivism rates than other youth centers all over the country." Rowe thanked Macarelli and staff for their work.
Macarelli said the center’s programming includes opportunities for residents to earn school credits and that the facility donates produce from its garden to the West Chester Food Cupboard. She also invited interested candidates to apply for youth center officer positions through the county employment site. The commissioners did not take formal action on the presentation; it was given for information and recognition.
