Making progress towards juvenile detention wing

SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Lackawanna County is making progress in establishing a dedicated space for serious juvenile offenders.

A few months back 28/22 News spoke to District Attorney Mark Powell about the gang violence issues. He said the root of the problem is the lack of space in juvenile detention centers, but housing those offenders in the Lackawanna Prison is a solution, one that’s making progress as we speak

“We really have a crisis, we do not have a place to detain or house violent juvenile offenders,” said D.A. Powell.

The lack of space for juveniles who commit crimes is a problem not just in Lackawanna County but statewide

“There are 15 detention centers to accommodate 67 counties and as detention centers closed across the state, the demand for housing violent juvenile offenders had increased,” says D.A. Powell.

To tackle the demand eyes are set on dedicating a space in the county prison.

“We have room in our lackawanna county prison,” added D.A. Powell

The obstacle is the setup of the prison

“We need a separate wing with separate guards and separate counselors and there are specific regulations to treat and address the needs of juvenile offenders so they (the state) don’t want to mix the juvenile offenders with adult offenders,” explained D.A. Powell.

As the county continues to address the logistics of the space funding and support are a major help to keep the ball rolling

“We certainly have the support of our commissioners, finances are always a concern that we are dealing with but there is money allocated in order to accomplish this goal. There’s state money as well that’s been allocated towards this because it is a problem across the state,” stated D.A. Powell.

Once the juvenile section is completed, it could be an option for violent offenders in other areas of the state.

“Because there’s such a need across the state we may actually be a facility to house individuals from other counties too if we have the space available,” continued D.A. Powell.

Powell noted it could take several months to a year before the space is ready for use but he and other county officials are confident they will be successful throughout this process.

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