State leaders propose temporary facility to house Vermont’s young offenders

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) - State leaders are proposing a new, temporary facility to house Vermont’s youngest offenders.

Thursday, the Department for Children and Families presented a plan to build a secure modular facility on the campus of the Northwest Correctional Facility

The eight-bed facility and improvements to a separate facility at the Windham County Sheriff’s Office would cost about $4.6 million.

If approved, leaders want to build it as quickly as possible. They say there is a big need for the secure setting and that is having an effect on the rest of Vermont’s system of care.

“Nobody would really want temporary buildings unless we had to do it. And we are acknowledging that we have this critical need and we are trying our best to provide for these children and youth in the quickest way possible,” said Harry Chen, the commissioner of the Vt. Department for Children and Families.

The state could house up to 16 people in a secure setting pre-pandemic, but now the state does not have any capacity. If approved, the intent is to have people stay 10 days or less.

A timeline for construction is unknown.

Related Stories:

DCF report seeks to address crisis over juvenile offender housing

Newbury to appeal ruling allowing youth offender facility

Vt. officials pitch privatization strategy to house youth offenders

Judge greenlights juvenile offender facility in Newbury

Gov. Scott makes 3 key appointments

Where will they go? Vermont scrambles to find housing for violent juvenile offenders

Vt. lawmakers address juvenile detention capacity crisis

Vt. continues efforts to build juvenile offender facility

Senate drops plan for juvenile facility at former Windsor prison

Is old Vt. prison new plan for troubled kids?

VSEA calls on state to open secure facility for teens to replace Woodside

State leaders respond to Woodside lawsuit alleging abuse

Vermont appeals Newbury’s denial of youth detention center

Former detainees sue Vt. DCF, allege mistreatment at Woodside

New Vt. juvenile treatment facility to be completed by spring

States grapple with closing youth detention centers

Plans to replace Woodside, Middlesex Community Residence moving forward

Vt. lawmakers presented with Woodside replacement options

Woodside set to close October 1

Woodside facility unlikely to be used moving forward

Disability Rights Vermont accuses DCF of violating settlement

Does Vermont need a new facility for youthful offenders?

Copyright 2023 WCAX. All rights reserved.