New Minnehaha County juvenile facility shows early safety gains

The new Juvenile Justice Center in southwest Sioux Falls is showing early signs of improved safety, with fewer violent incidents reported during its first six months of operation, officials said.

Director Jamie Gravett told Minnehaha County Commission this week that both youth and staff have responded positively to the new facility

“I’ve heard a lot of feedback from the youth who were in the old facility and the new one, and they say they feel much safer,” Gravett said.

He said a built-in noise control system in the housing units has also improved conditions, with youth reporting better sleep.

For staff, the new layout allows better control of movement within the facility, helping keep potentially violent individuals separated while offering more structured activities for residents.

The $40 million center, which remains under construction as part of a second phase, includes redesigned living units, classrooms for daily instruction, a larger intake area, a gym, expanded outdoor recreation space, and on-site medical and nursing facilities.

Gravett said assaults overall are down. Incidents involving juveniles assaulting staff dropped from 40 in 2024 to 23 last year, with eight reported so far this year. Juvenile-on-juvenile assaults increased from 18 to 25 last year, though only five have been reported so far this year.

“It’s too early to see a trend yet,” Gravett said. “But violence is down.”

The average daily population at the facility has also increased slightly, rising from 29 in 2023 to 31 last year. The current population is 32.