LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Lancaster County will close a less-secure section of its youth detention center Aug. 1.
County officials tell the Lincoln Journal Star that they're hopeful the move will encourage state and private agencies to place troubled youth outside detention centers.
Youth Services Center director Sheli Schindler says the center was never meant to provide long-term placement for pre-adjudicated youth. Only two of the 10 residents in the less-secure wing have been there less than 30 days.
Revenue is expected to decline because the number of state-supervised youth at the center has fallen dramatically in recent months.
County leaders say eliminating the less-secure portion of the center will eventually save some of the county's funds.
Schindler says the county and state will be able to find outside placement for those now in the staff-secure wing.
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