Controversial youth detention center opens in Montco on the grounds of a men’s prison

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services has opened a controversial new youth detention facility on the grounds of a men’s prison in Montgomery County .

The Southeast Youth Development Center is located at SCI Phoenix in Collegeville.

An announcement from DHS says it “will increase [the state’s] capacity to treat delinquent youth” ordered to state facilities.

The lack of staff and state facilities led to severe overcrowding at Philadelphia’s Juvenile Justice Center until a judge ordered the state to begin taking youth more quickly after sentencing .

When youth were transferred to state facilities, they were hours away from the city in remote, often rural, counties. The new center is less than an hour from Philadelphia.

The DHS announcement said the new facility is an investment in high-quality care and support for youthful offenders.

But advocates are not sure it’s the right investment. The Juvenile Law Center’s Senior Attorney, Malik Pickett, says it’s more money being spent to expand the system when alternatives are what’s needed.

“Too many youth are being funneled into the system. It’s harmful,” he said.

DHS declined to answer questions about the facility. Its announcement said the center began operating July 23, serving up to 40 youth, with trauma-informed care as well as education and training opportunities.