Close to the Halfway Mark: Construction Continues for Department Replacement Facilities

Almost halfway! The Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention’s replacement facilities remain under construction.  Cement has been poured, walls continue to be erected, and hollow frames for the windows and doors are being built at each of the four replacement facilities.  In addition, the plumbing, electrical, and air conditioning systems remain in the installation process.

One 96-bed facility is being built in Cabarrus County, and three 32-bed facilities are underway in Edgecombe, Lenoir, and Chatham counties.  As of July 2007, the Cabarrus County facility was 38% complete, the Chatham County facility was 43% complete, the Edgecombe County facility was 25% complete, and the Lenoir County facility is 45% complete.   The Department is excited about the progress being made and anxious to see the final results.

The construction of these replacement facilities will become the foundation for a more community-oriented juvenile justice system.  By providing youth throughout North Carolina with smaller, community-connected facilities, the Department will more effectively assist youth with the tools needed to become productive members of North Carolina’s communities.

Additionally, each of the replacement facilities will offer a positive economic impact to their local communities by bringing new jobs and increased revenue to their respective areas.  

Construction on all of the replacement facilities is scheduled to be completed by 2008.  Planning for Phase II facilities will soon begin.  During the 2007 legislative session, lawmakers provided $1.5 million to the Department for Phase II planning money.  This money will be used to plan for five additional 32-bed facilities.