Chief Probation Officer Supports Seeking Grant For Juvenile Detention Facility

Sonora, Ca — The Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors will decide on Tuesday whether to submit a grant application to the Corrections Standards Authority for funding to build a juvenile detention center.

Tuolumne is the largest and one of only eight counties in the state that doesn´t have its own facility, according to T.C. Chief Probation Officer Shirlee Juhl. Youth offenders are currently shipped to facilities outside of the region, typically to Yolo or Madera Counties.

?I´m asking for permission to apply,? says Juhl. ?Then if we are found to be eligible for the money, the actual decisions would be made by the Board in the future as to whether or not we´re going to be able to afford to do this.?

The County is planning to request $16 million from the CSA, and then would be forced to put up a $5 million match. The total price to construct the 30-bed facility is estimated at $21. The County has the option of dropping out of the process at any time and is not required to accept the grant.

The center would likely be built along land set aside for a new jail and criminal justice facility on Old Wards Ferry Rd.

The Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday morning at 9am.

Written by BJ Hansen