OMAHA, Nebraska (WOWT) – On Wednesday, Douglas County officials gave a tour of the new Youth and Family Support Center.
The building was originally intended to house youth currently incarcerated at the Douglas County Youth Center near 41st and Pacific Streets.
The objects on display included the residential units, classrooms, computer lab, library and childcare area.
There has long been criticism that the 64-bed facility does not have enough beds to accommodate the number of young people currently in the old building.
County Commissioner Roger Garcia said this is one of two reasons the detention center has not yet opened, as the number of inmates has increased following the pandemic.
“We have also seen an increase in gun use and the commission of serious crimes by youth during and after the pandemic to such an extent that our current population – about a third of those currently incarcerated in juvenile detention – are facing adult-level or serious crime charges,” he said.
He said they are continuing to work on a plan to operate both plants, but the estimated additional costs of doing so – which would be between $4.5 million and $7 million annually – are another issue they face.
“That’s the space we’re in right now,” Garcia said. “Obviously, there are different aspects that go along with starting a new facility, like recruiting, training and getting a facility up and running.”
He said about 150 employees would be needed to operate the new facility at full capacity and that hiring staff could take up to a year.
He added that county officials would also have to find a solution to the plan involving the two facilities after the Nebraska Legislature passed caps on city and county spending in its recent special session.
“We are currently in the process of reviewing the new legislation, processing the numbers, determining our financial position for the next financial year and then moving forward.”
Regardless of how long it takes for the new facility to open, those responsible want to maintain its use as originally intended.
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