Transporting juveniles from Lackawanna County to distant detention facilities, sometimes as far as Ohio, has been a long-standing practice. However, this is set to change with a new initiative that offers a closer solution for housing these young individuals.
The county commissioners have agreed to participate in a consortium with four counties, including Berks, Dauphin, and Lehigh, to house juveniles at the Southeast Youth Detention Agency in Berks County. This initiative will provide up to 40 beds, with each county securing 10 beds for its juveniles. Additionally, the center will offer 16 beds to shelter unhoused children, according to a Berks County official.
Timeline and Costs
The center’s opening is planned for July 2027, with an agreement for juvenile placement extending through December 2047. The financial commitment from Lackawanna County is projected at $2.6 million for the first year. This figure marks a slight increase from the current year’s estimated $2.3 million, as presented by county CFO David Bulzoni.
Background and Challenges
Previously, Lackawanna County maintained a juvenile detention center on North Washington Avenue in Scranton until its closure in 2018 when a lease expired. Since then, the county has resorted to placing juveniles in facilities across Pennsylvania and Ohio, as noted by county chief of staff Brian Jeffers.
Jeffers remarked on the challenges faced when the pandemic led to the closure of many centers, reducing available bed space. “It worked very briefly in 2017, (20)18 and (20)19, and then, like everybody else in this commonwealth and across the country, the pandemic hit and things turned,” he explained.
Geographical and Logistical Concerns
Lackawanna County currently sends juveniles to various locations, including Northampton, Chester, and Bucks in eastern Pennsylvania, and as far as Jefferson County, Ohio. Sheriff Mark McAndrew highlighted the logistical challenges, as deputies often need overnight stays when transporting juveniles to these distant facilities.
In 2022 alone, deputies made 125 such trips. As of now, only two juveniles are detained, according to Jeffers. The county’s search for a more efficient solution continued as bed space diminished in 2022 and 2023, prompting the decision to join the regional center.
Alternative Options Considered
County officials had considered converting an unused wing of the county prison for juvenile detention but rejected this plan over concerns of potential federal discrimination lawsuits and the state’s disapproval of housing youths in adult facilities.
Collaborative Efforts
The formation of the consortium stems from a shared need among counties like Berks, Dauphin, and Lehigh to find suitable juvenile housing solutions. Berks County intends to issue $19 million in bonds to finance the reopening of a former juvenile center, Berks Youth Center, which closed in 2012.
Jeffers noted that the January 2024 incident involving Scranton Police Detective Kyle Gilmartin underscored the urgent need for renewed housing searches, leading to collaboration discussions with Berks County officials.
Support from Leadership
Lackawanna County President Judge James Gibbons, who participated in a state juvenile justice review panel, advocated for the center’s approval, emphasizing its benefits for the county’s justice system and involved youth. Judge Frank Ruggiero also praised the initiative, noting its inclusion of treatment components alongside detention.
Financial Considerations
The county’s juvenile detention expenses rose significantly, with 2025 costs nearly tripling those of 2023, as detailed by Bulzoni. The state reimburses half of the housing costs but not for unused beds, making the joint venture financially advantageous.
District Attorney Brian Gallagher highlighted the critical need for the center, emphasizing the challenges schools face when juveniles accused of crimes return without proper detention.
Berks County’s Perspective
Berks County COO Kevin Barnhart acknowledged the necessity of juvenile housing and the collaboration with counties that require such facilities. Despite previous financial losses from maintaining a juvenile center, Berks is committed to opening a more sustainable 40-bed facility.
The new center will feature programming and health services for detainees, with county staff ensuring accountability and professionalism, according to Berks Deputy COO Larry Medaglia.
Commissioners’ Endorsements
Lackawanna County Commissioners expressed strong support for the facility, citing its potential to address rising juvenile crime and improve detainees’ access to family and essential services. “When I pulled up to the facility, honestly, I thought to build something like that today from scratch would be simply unaffordable,” Commissioner Bill Gaughan remarked.
