02/01/2024
— The Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center will be ceasing operations at the end of the year. Judge Melissa Morgan says the closure is due to "staffing shortages."
"The Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center has always been committed to providing the best services for youth entrusted in its care and that commitment has never wavered. The pursuit to meet mandated enhanced programming goals and the enactment of new legislation related to confined juveniles will require greater staffing in juvenile detention. Unfortunately, like many other businesses and entities throughout the state, workforce shortages have become increasingly difficult to manage. While the facility has made tremendous strides in delivering services, the totality of circumstances in these challenging times necessitates closure. I believe this course of action is in the best interest of the juveniles, staff, and communities we serve. On behalf of the facility’s Administration, I appreciate the dedication, support, and excellent service that our staff has shown over the years. I also appreciate the support of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, the Franklin County Board, and our local community leaders."
A lawsuit was filed in June of 2023 on behalf of several minors at the facility alleging poor conditions, and that many children were being kept in "solitary confinement" in cells as small as a parking space.
The facility was also named as a "facility in crisis" by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice in 2022. It is unclear if this was a contributing factor to the closure of the facility.
