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Commissioners call attention to juvenile detention costs and services after rate discussion
Summary
Commissioners criticized the juvenile detention system's cost and questioned whether detainees receive adequate education and services; the board asked staff to verify rate proration and to pursue follow-up with state officials and committees.
During the consent-agenda discussion, commissioners raised concern about the county's juvenile-detention daily rates and the effectiveness of services provided to youth. The director and backup materials indicated the education portion of the rate is prorated to school days; administration committed to verifying the calculation for commissioners.
One commissioner cited a figure to illustrate scale—$206,225 as a theoretical annual cost for one juvenile if housed every day for a year—prompting other members to call for deeper review. Several commissioners described the system as "woefully broken" and said the county must press state officials and work with the New Jersey Association of Counties to address systemic problems.
Board members pledged to prioritize juvenile-justice reform, seek detailed cost breakdowns (including average per-day cost per juvenile and education prorating), and engage legislative channels where necessary. The discussion did not produce a formal policy change at the meeting but generated a directive for follow-up reporting and intergovernmental outreach.
