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Opposition against proposed juvenile detention center in Isle of Wight County grows, push for alternative

There's more push back over a proposed juvenile detention center in Isle of Wight County. Neighbors are making it clear, they don't want it built near them. Now, a group is coming forward in the search for solutions.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Concerns over a proposed juvenile detention center in Isle of Wight County are at an all-time high.

Many people across Hampton Roads are still not sold. Tomorrow night the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors will potentially vote to transfer 20-acres of property to the Department of Juvenile Justice for a 60-bed detention center.

But not if the community has a say.

On Wednesday, the RISE for Youth Coalition discussed their plans to oppose the project, as well as alternatives to youth prisons. RISE is a statewide juvenile justice reform initiative that believes prisons don't work for young people.

Executive director Valerie Slater said 40 percent of people who end up in secure care in Virginia come from Hampton Roads. She said sending young people away from their environment won't do them any good.

“Something is wrong with a system that can lock up young people and they don't see a return in that lockup investment,” Slater said. “We are supposed to be rehabilitating children and if that's not happening in the system we have we must do something different. What we build needs to be in the community where these young people come from.”

There were several alternatives discussed Wednesday, including more counselors, investing in a quality education system and more community-based programs.

“Why would we go to Isle of Wight? Why wouldn't we come where the need is, where the youth come from and let need and resource meet?” Slater asked.

There were many young people in the room, and parents, like Walida Hooker, who said resources should be put into the communities, not prisons.

“Instead of putting detention centers up have group homes,” Hooker said. “I just wish there were other means to rehabilitate the kids.”

The Board of supervisors is holding a public hearing Thursday to discuss transferring property to the Department of Juvenile Justice. There was discussion about postponing the vote until March 21st, but they also discussed acting Thursday night.

You can read more about the public hearing here.

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