San Francisco supervisors approve ordinance to close juvenile hall by end of 2021, set oversight and labor protections

San Francisco supervisors voted 10-1 on June 4 to pass on first reading an ordinance requiring the city to close the juvenile hall by Dec. 31, 2021, while adding amendments that set review and labor protections and require the Board of Supervisors to approve the final closure plan by resolution.

The ordinance, introduced by Supervisor Ahsha Safai and carried through debate largely by Supervisor Matt Haney, was the focus of an extended exchange among supervisors, juvenile probation officials and advocates who have for years called for alternatives to secure detention. Supervisor Walton, the ordinance author, said the measure commits the city to develop non‑institutional alternatives and individualized plans for the small number of youth who by state law must be detained.

The board accepted several amendments before the…