HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1989 (08) V
RESOLUTION REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF LINCOLN HILLS FOR SECURE
DETENTION OF JUVENILES
Resolution # G 6799
WHEREAS, State and Federal laws and regulations mandate that
counties provide secure detention facilities to juvenile
offenders which facilities must meet certain specifications
regarding sight and sound segregation and separate staffing from
adult facilities; and
WHEREAS, there is much confusion among judges, intake
workers, sheriffs and other juvenile and law enforcement
personnel regarding the appropriate laws and regulations to
follow to ensure proper handling of juveniles without exposing
themselves or their employers to personal or corporate liability;
and
WHEREAS, the North Central Regional Planning Committee has
completed a survey of seventeen counties regarding current
practices for secure detention of juveniles, which survey
indicated that most of these counties must utilize referral and
detention facilities provided by others because of small juvenile
populations requiring secure detention or referral and financial
constraints; and
WHEREAS, these small populations suggest that a cost -
sharing proposal would be the most efficient and cost effective
means of providing for secure detention and referral of
juveniles; and
WHEREAS, 'there are only seven approved secure juvenile
detention facilities in the State of Wisconsin, none of which are
convenient to northern Wisconsin; and
WHEREAS, many of the facilities which do exist in Wisconsin
will not accept referral from out of county; and
WHEREAS, a regional secure detention facility located at
Lincoln Hills School in Lincoln County, Wisconsin would be
centrally located to many northern counties; and
WHEREAS, Lincoln Hills School already has the plant, staff
and facility to provide secure referral and detention services to
northern counties; and
WHEREAS, at this time northern counties must undertake
sr _
costly and time consuming transfers of juveniles requiring secure
detention to facilities in Green Bay or Madison, thus diverting
the time and resources of law enforcement personnel to transport
rather than protection of the public;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the St. Croix County Board
of Supervisors, meeting in regular session, urges Governor Tommy
Thompson and area Legislators to enact such legislation and take
such steps as may make services and facilities for the secure
detention of juveniles from the northern counties available at
Lincoln Hills;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the County Clerk for St. Croix
County is directed to immediately furnish copies of this
Resolution to Governor Thompson and other area legislators.
Dated this /_ .day of i /Y 1989.
PUBLIC PROTECTION COMMITTEE
Negative Affirmative ;/
c :/.i./.(43 . .
C)4 L -
t - k
cj l