Justice Coalition backs concept of contracting juvenile detention with Marathon County; recommends excluding juvenile‑detention design from new jail plans

Portage County’s Justice Coalition recommended on Jan. 15 that the county pursue a contract with Marathon County for juvenile detention services rather than include a juvenile‑detention wing in the new jail schematic.

Judge Malevsky presented findings from a facility tour and comparison study, concluding that Marathon County’s juvenile facility would be an adequate option for Portage County youths: "The Marathon County juvenile detention facility... would be a respectable and adequate, well, actually it's more than adequate facility for our youths," he said. The study identified benefits at Marathon — outdoor yard space, classroom programming and fuller staffing — while noting tradeoffs like family travel and visitation logistics.

Members discussed population and cost metrics. Presenters and committee members cited Portage County’s average daily juvenile population at about 1.4 youths, and noted that contracting would avoid adding the estimated capital and operating costs of building a local juvenile detention facility. One participant summarized the comparative cost metrics discussed: a contracted bed rate of about $250 per day for contracted beds and $500 per day for non‑contracting arrangements; previous, unvetted estimates of construction ranged widely but were described as "between $10 million and $20 million," with additional operating costs potentially exceeding $1,000,000 annually for staffing.

The coalition debated whether to formally endorse an existing county resolution that had been forwarded by Public Safety (the transcript did not include the resolution text). Lacking the resolution copy, the group instead voted to support the concept — that the Justice Coalition does not recommend including a juvenile‑detention facility in the current jail design and that the county should pursue an intercounty contract. The motion carried by voice vote.

The coalition also heard a schematic design briefing for the proposed courthouse remodel and new Law Enforcement and Detention Center (JLLEC) in Plover. Project representatives highlighted schematic features still under development: a secure vestibule and screening area, a dedicated secure elevator for detainee transport, a family court suite, additional court 'branch' space, dedicated program spaces for outside agencies and both indoor and outdoor recreation yards designed to increase natural light and detainee safety.

Why it matters: Building a local juvenile detention facility would be capital‑intensive; contracting can allow the county to access programming and capacity without immediate capital outlay, but it raises concerns about family access and transport logistics. The coalition’s recommendation will inform county board discussions and next steps on procurement and design decisions.

Next steps: The chair said county staff would follow up with the sheriff’s office and county executive about pursuing a contract and to coordinate how the county’s design team treats a juvenile‑detention block in future schematic development.