Five year agreement ensures continued care of Union County Juvenile detainees with Essex County; County to explore future usage of vacant Linden facility
In a cost-savings measure that will save millions, while ensuring the continued care of its youth offenders, the County of Union today announced it has officially closed its Juvenile Detention Center in Linden.
The closure marks the beginning of a five-year agreement with Essex County to provide ongoing juvenile detention services. The agreement has an option for renewal.
County officials decided to seek a shared services agreement as the number of County juvenile detainees at the facility have continued to show a long-term dramatic decline. The average daily population of County juveniles has declined from a high of more than 43 residents in January, 2012 to an average of just about ten this past year—a decline of more than 77 percent.
“The agreement with Essex preserves the rights, safety and dignity of incarcerated youth and minimizes the impact on effected employees of the former Linden facility,” said Union County Manager Edward T. Oatman. “Ultimately this is a prudent decision that had to be made, and one that will realize substantial savings for the County.”
Any remaining Union County detainees have been safely transferred to the Essex County Juvenile Detention facility in Newark, and all future offenders will be detained there.
The closure is expected to save $24.6 million over the first three years alone, according to Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.
“This agreement not only realizes savings but also provides responsible and proper detention services,” said Freeholder Chair Kowalski.
The County had considered other facilities, but the Essex County facility was picked because it is nationally accredited, offers an all-day school, and recreation programs including a swimming pool. The County of Union will continue to provide transportation for the youth and their families to the Essex County facility—which is a short distance away (5.8 miles).
In all, 82 County employees are impacted by the measure including: 56 juvenile detention officers, 12 senior juvenile detention officers, seven supervisors, and seven civilian employees.
The County’s Workforce Development Board was made available to all employees, and separated workers were, if they wished, able to take advantage of job training, resume assistance, and other employment programs. A number of employees were rehired for similar positions at Essex County and a number of others found employment with the County of Union.
Overall, officials attribute the decline in detainees at the Union County facility in large part to the effectiveness of the state’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative. This is a comprehensive approach that provides mechanisms to detain fewer youth and relies on proven, family-focused interventions, education, mental health treatment and opportunities for positive youth development.
While no immediate determination has been made for the re-use of the Union County Detention Center once it is closed, the County will explore the most effective and efficient repurposing of the facility, added County Manager Oatman.
