What a proposed temporary juvenile facility in St. Albans means for Vermont's high-risk youth

By Mikaela Lefrak,

Published February 21, 2023 at 4:08 PM EST

This is an examples of modular or "pod" solutions for facilities for the proposed temporary facility in St. Albans. — According to DCF, this is an example of modular or "pod" solutions for facilities for the proposed temporary facility in St. Albans.

The Department for Children and Families has proposed a temporary facility for youth needing secure placement in St. Albans while the state searches for a permanent solution. The closure of the state’s only juvenile detention facility in 2020 has left Vermont without a place for juvenile offenders. This has led some to be housed out of state or in adult prisons.

A map of the proposed facility in relation to Northwest State Correctional Facility.

Our guests:

Tyler Allen, adolescent services director for the Department for Children and Families
Marshall Pahl, deputy defender general and chief juvenile defender in Vermont’s Office of the Defender General
Liam Elder-Connors, Vermont Public reporter

Broadcast live on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at noon; rebroadcast at 7 p.m.

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