MCSO says reopening juvenile detention facility will require “real investment”

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The North Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice has requested that the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office look into reopening the Juvenile Detention Center because of an increased need for space for juveniles.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Police say they’ve arrested a 15 year old boy 111 times since August 2023. They say he is one example of the county’s problem with repeat youth offenders. The teen is accused of dozens of crimes including auto theft and drug possession.

“The juvenile has had 111 arrests, severely impacting property, crime and victimization numbers,” Sergeant Todd Martin said. “Despite the juvenile delinquency history and repeat offender status, the juvenile was released back into the community in September.”

The state is exploring options to house juvenile offenders to keep them off the street. They want to reopen the juvenile detention center in Mecklenburg County also known as jail north. The facility closed in 2022 because of what Sheriff Garry McFadden says were COVID-related staffing issues.

In a statement about re-opening the facility, the sheriff says in part he would need to hire 96 detention officers and up to 25 support staff.

Sheriff McFadden goes on to say the state’s request comes as the Cabarrus County juvenile detention center is operating at 40% vacancy.

“The expectation that the MCSO should take on additional state responsibilities without statutory obligation or adequate support is not only unrealistic but could compromise our ongoing efforts to strengthen our staffing levels and safety within our facilities. Reopening Jail North requires more than writing a check or using the word ‘resources’ as a catch-all solution,” Sheriff McFadden wrote.

Until there’s more space to house repeat juvenile offenders, they often end up being released back into the custody of their parents.

“The cycle of catch and release does not reduce crime in our community, while the person committing the crimes is ultimately responsible for their actions, others must step up to help ensure they are held accountable,” Sergeant Todd Martin said.

Sheriff McFadden says reopening the juvenile facility will take more than writing a check. He would like to see the state launch a campaign to recruit and train juvenile detention officers.