Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A state-run juvenile corrections facility near Custer that has seen a significant decline in population in recent years is going to be shut down in April, Gov. Dennis Daugaard said Wednesday.
The average daily population of youth in STAR Academy programs has dropped precipitously from 166 in budget year 2007, Daugaard said in a statement. Five youth offenders were there on Wednesday, said Kristi Bunkers, director of juvenile services at the Department of Corrections.
Likewise, the juvenile population under the Department of Corrections' jurisdiction has been cut in half over the last decade, Daugaard said.
An overhaul of the state's juvenile justice system approved by lawmakers last legislative session that is aimed at decreasing the number of youth offenders in state-sponsored care is expected to contribute to that trend into the future.
Bunkers said about 460 youths are currently committed to the Department of Corrections. Though STAR Academy is closing, the state has contracts with 20 private providers — 10 in state and 10 outside of South Dakota — where juvenile offenders can be sent if necessary, she said.
The governor's office says about $6 million annually is allocated under the overhaul to juvenile community-based programs across South Dakota. The programs are meant to allow youth offenders to stay in their communities while addressing issues such as drug abuse, anti-social tendencies and family challenges.
The body of research on successfully rehabilitating juvenile offenders emphasizes keeping young people with their families and in their schools, said Sarah Bryer, director of the National Juvenile Justice Network in Washington, D.C.
The South Dakota overhaul shifts priorities toward committing only violent and more serious offenders and using diversion options for others.
"We're no longer locking up kids that we're frustrated with, but the kids that present a significant public safety threat," Bunkers said.
Corrections Secretary Denny Kaemingk said the impending closure comes with "mixed emotion." The department's goals are to see fewer commitments, a lower recidivism rate and more community resources, but it's a "sad day" for employees at STAR Academy, he said.
The 64 employees working there were given layoff notices. Some staff members are expected to remain into June to finish up administrative and security duties for closing the campus.
It will take some time and staff to keep the facility in working order until the state decides what to do with the property, Jim Seward, general counsel to Daugaard, said in a statement.
The Department of Corrections has made adjustments as the population at STAR Academy has dropped. The agency in 2015 closed the East Campus for girls in Custer State Park and consolidated programs at the West Campus.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
