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Goodhue County debates converting empty jail pod to juvenile detention center amid statewide bed shortage
Summary
County presenters said juvenile beds are scarce after COVID closures, forcing long searches and out‑of‑area placements; staff outlined a possible 24‑bed JDC model, staffing and remodel requirements and asked commissioners whether to pursue deeper study and regional contracting; commissioners asked staff to return with cost, staffing and contract options.
Goodhue County staff presented a concept to repurpose an unused 60‑bed pod in the Adult Detention Center as a juvenile detention center (JDC), citing a statewide shortage of juvenile beds and repeated difficulties placing high‑risk youth.
Rhonda, a juvenile services presenter, described the regional context: counties once relied on block allocations and regional centers; many beds closed during and after the COVID‑era and nearby options have become limited. She said county juvenile agents now spend hours calling to find beds and sometimes send youth as far away as Houston County for eight‑day holds. Rhonda told commissioners that placements and referrals are…
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