SIOUX FALLS – Minnehaha County, South Dakota, is nearing completion of a significant overhaul of its juvenile justice facilities, with the first phase of a new Juvenile Justice Center now operational as of . The project, which began in , represents a substantial investment in the region’s capacity to handle youth detention and judicial proceedings, serving not only Minnehaha County but also sixteen surrounding South Dakota counties.
The impetus for the new facility stems from the age and limitations of the former Minnehaha County Juvenile Court Center, which opened in as a 20-bed facility. After more than a decade of evaluation, the Minnehaha County Commission authorized the construction of a replacement in . The new center is designed with a 64-bed capacity, anticipating future needs and providing expanded space for educational programs, recreation, and support services.
Currently, Phase 1 of the project – the secure detention portion – is fully operational and will be referred to as the “Juvenile Detention Center” until the entire project is finished. Phase 2, which will encompass a courtroom and offices for legal and administrative personnel, is expected to be completed in early . The construction is proceeding under the umbrella of the broader Juvenile Justice Center Project.
The Minnehaha County Regional Juvenile Detention Center’s mission, according to county statements, is to ensure public safety while providing a secure and humane environment for youth in its custody. The facility serves as a regional hub, providing secure detention for Bon Homme, Brookings, Charles Mix, Clay, Davison, Hanson, Hutchinson, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Turner, Union, and Yankton Counties.
The newly constructed center boasts a range of facilities designed to support the well-being and development of detained youth. These include educational classrooms, a gymnasium, outdoor recreation areas, day rooms, dining areas, a kitchen, laundry facilities, and a nurse’s office. The Sioux Falls School District provides teachers and educational assistants to deliver educational services to the youth, with classes held from to , Monday through Friday, during the school year. Evening, summer, and weekend programming focuses on recreational and developmental activities.
Each youth assigned to the detention center is assigned a caseworker who monitors their case, provides crisis intervention, and acts as a liaison between the child, their parents or guardians, the court system, and other relevant agencies. Parents or guardians seeking information about their child’s placement are encouraged to contact the JDC directly or schedule an appointment with the caseworker.
In addition to secure detention, the Minnehaha County Juvenile Detention Center operates a Community Supervision Program. This program serves as an alternative to secure detention for youth in Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties, aiming to ensure court appearances and prevent further criminal activity while cases are processed. The program represents a pre-disposition alternative, offering a less restrictive environment for eligible youth.
The project is being led by Director James Gravett. The facility employs 36 full-time staff members and approximately 15 part-time staff, and contracts for nursing and food services. The completion of Phase 1 marks a significant step in modernizing the county’s juvenile justice infrastructure, addressing long-standing concerns about the adequacy of the previous facility and enhancing the region’s capacity to provide comprehensive care and rehabilitation services for young people involved in the legal system.
The construction and subsequent operation of the new center reflect a broader trend in the United States towards reforming juvenile justice systems, with a growing emphasis on rehabilitation, education, and community-based alternatives to incarceration. While the specifics of the Minnehaha County project are locally driven, they align with national conversations about addressing the root causes of youth crime and providing opportunities for positive development.
