A New Hope for Columbia’s Overcrowded Juvenile Justice System as DJJ Plans to Lease Greenville Jail

COLUMBIA — A New Hope for Overcrowded Juvenile Justice System!

In an exciting development for youth justice in our state, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is pulling a new plan out of its hat to help with the ongoing overcrowding crisis at its detention center in Columbia. The department has announced its intention to rent a section of the closed Greenville County jail to offer a light at the end of the tunnel for young people awaiting sentencing.

What’s Happening Here?

Approved just recently by a legislative committee, this plan comes after years of escalating problems like overcrowding, understaffing, and concerning conditions within these facilities. The DJJ, which is pleading for help, is looking forward to a five-year lease that could cost around $3.3 million, starting possibly as soon as January 1, 2025, if an agreement is reached with Greenville County before the New Year.

What’s the Current Situation?

Currently, the pre-trial juvenile detention center located on Shivers Road in Columbia is bursting at the seams. Can you believe it!? On a routine Monday, there were about 141 youth crammed into a facility designed for only 72. That’s nearly double the capacity! It’s no wonder that the DJJ is sounding the alarm bells about safety and well-being as juveniles with serious medical and mental health needs face increasingly difficult environments. Meanwhile, following a temporary closure of their youth detention center, Richland County has sent around 45 children and teens into DJJ custody, worsening the overcrowding nightmare.

A Glimmer of Light at Greenville Jail

The 22,000-square-foot space in Greenville can accommodate up to 47 children, although the actual number will depend on how many staff can be hired. The agency plans to have enough personnel to oversee 40 juveniles, but the bad news is that it might take a while to get there, so adjustments may take time.

DJJ Director Eden Hendrick expressed deep concerns in a request for leasing this facility, highlighting how continuous overcrowding is stressing the agency. “The expectations to serve double the youth is causing dangerous conditions for both the youth and the staff,” she noted.

What’s the Plan for the Future?

As if dealing with overcrowding isn’t enough, the DJJ has also made a plea for a whopping $200 million from the upcoming state budget to build a brand new detention center. This is a much-needed step since the existing buildings don’t even function to house youth for more than 30 days, with many stuck there for months or even years due to court backlogs. That’s just not right, and the DJJ is on a mission to fix it!

The new facility aims to support 120 children aged 12 to 19, and promises to include better amenities, private meeting rooms, recreational areas, and classrooms that can handle the needs of the youth. Can you imagine how much better that would be?

Repairing the Damage

Last year, state legislators approved $17 million for repairs at DJJ’s Broad River Road campus, but a staggering 60% of the agency’s 155 buildings are still in bad shape. And get this, a recent assessment highlighted that even keeping the current facilities running will take millions—without actually solving the underlying problems!

Bottom Line: Change is Coming!

With this multi-faceted approach involving leasing, repairing existing structures, and planning for a new detention center, it seems that we are finally turning the page on a very challenging chapter in juvenile justice. The department is laying the groundwork for a brighter future for our youth and hopefully, we’ll soon see an end to the overcrowded, unsafe tight corners that have marred these facilities for far too long!

While there’s a long journey ahead, this plan indicates that the state is ready to invest in its youth and recognize the importance of providing them with a safe environment to grow and change. And that, my friends, is something we can all get behind!