WINSTON-SALEM -- The youth detention center in Forsyth County has closed but the Department of Public Safety is working with Methodist Home for Children to re-purpose the space into an assessment and crisis center.
Before closing its doors at the end of September, the facility could house up to 16 juveniles. Forsyth County’s manager, Dudley Watts, said last year that the average daily population was only seven.
"We were seeing big fluctuations in the number of juveniles that were being placed in the facility," said Watts. "So it made us look at whether or not operating this system made sense within the context of the statewide system."
After several discussions with the state, county leaders decided it made more sense to re-purpose the space.
“This allows this facility to be continued to be used by the state, and it’s my understanding that they're going to treat it as an assessment center,” said Watts.
Diana Kees with the Department of Public Safety said in a statement, "This eight-bed center will provide crisis intervention, assessment and service planning for adjudicated youth who require a temporary out-of-home placement to stabilize their behaviors. The center will provide an opportunity to determine effective interventions for each juvenile, matching their risk and needs with existing department and community resources, to reduce further court involvement, promote stronger families and to assure safer communities.”
By making this move, the county estimates it will save anywhere from $158,000 to $223,000 annually.
"There are some savings, but the county never looked to make money on this facility."
Watts said local juveniles who would have gone to Forsyth County's detention center are now being placed in Guilford County's facility.
"They brought over six males,” said Guilford County Detention Center Director Doug Logan. “Forsyth, when they were open, they served Davidson, Davie, Yadkin, Surry and Stokes County. So, not only did we accept Forsyth, we agreed to accept the other five counties also."
When the new facility is done, Logan hopes it will help serve the entire state. Watts has high hopes for it doing so.
"To better put youth in the appropriate type of facility to serve whatever the courts have said they need to do,” said Watts.
Methodist Home for Children is presenting a more detailed plan for the space to the commissioners on Thursday. The re-purposed facility should open by January 2016.