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Board proceeds with juvenile center analysis CROW WING COUNTY BOARD Senior Reporter Crow Wing County is proceeding with an analysis in regard to opening a juvenile detention center here.
Tuesday the board accepted the proposal from The Carey Group, a Minnesota-based national corrections consulting firm. Frank Domurad, The Carey Group vice president, attended the session. The group's proposal aims to look at the feasibility and desirability of opening a juvenile detention center.
Domurad said a three-person team will lead the effort with a goal of providing useful information in a cost/benefit analysis so the county board can make an informed decision.
To that end, Domurad said the team, which is expected here in September, will conduct structured interviews with stakeholders in individual and group formats. The group will be involved in a site visit and in document reviews.
The study is expected to look at the public safety goals in opening a facility, at the juvenile population being served, at Department of Corrections rules and regulations and determine whether a private or public organization is best suited to run the facility. The process will stop short of naming specific vendors. However, Domurad said his company can put the county in touch with the names of vendors.
The study is expected to cost up to $20,800 and be completed within three months.
Domurad said an important consideration is whether a juvenile facility will actually help keep juveniles from continuing on a path in the criminal justice system or unwittingly increase delinquent behavior. Domurad praised Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl for his initial efforts on a study document. Domurad said in his experience sheriff's do not always have that focus on what is best for the juvenile.
The Central Minnesota Juvenile Center in Brainerd closed in May. The juvenile center was operated by Central Minnesota Community Corrections, which is governed by a joint powers board with commissioners from Aitkin, Crow Wing and Morrison counties.
Considering what the board has spent on the Central Minnesota Juvenile Facility, Commissioner Rachel Reabe Nystrom said this study cost could be the bargain of the century.
RENEE RICHARDSON may be reached at renee.richardson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5852.
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