May 29, 2024
Challenges at the Juvenile Justice Center in Sioux Falls are focused on violent youth, special needs teens, medical costs and turnovers, according to Director Jamie Gravett who discussed the issues with county commissioners on Tuesday, May 28.
He said assaults on staff, which include hitting, biting, and spitting, more than doubled last year over 2022 from 22 to 46. Gravett said most of the incidents occur when the youth are attempting to be restrained and that 47% of the assaults were done by just the same six youths last year.
The number of assaults are falling this year, he said. As for special needs, the number of youths with severe mental health needs and developmental disabilities, including autism, are increasing.
https://www.siouxfallslive.com/news/sioux-falls/juvenile-justice-center-details-challenges-numbers-as-new-facility-construction-begins