Durham County Responds to Statewide Juvenile Detention Report

Durham, N.C. – Durham County is aware of the recently released report examining conditions within North Carolina’s juvenile detention facilities. We appreciate the attention brought to this important issue and welcome thoughtful dialogue about how to best serve justice-involved youth while maintaining safety, accountability, and compliance with legal requirements.

First and foremost, Durham County remains firmly committed to the safety, dignity, and well-being of every young person in our care. The Durham County Youth Home (DCYH) operates with a mission centered on rehabilitation, education, and preparing youth to successfully return to their families and communities. This is why Durham County invested more than thirty-one million dollars to construct a state-of-the-art facility to ensure that all Durham County Youth Home residents were in a structure that could cater to the residents’ physical and mental well-being. This new facility opened in spring 2024.

As part of this significant investment, a section of the DCYH is dedicated as the Resources for Youth Success & Empowerment (RYSE) Assessment Center. This is an integral component serving youth both in detention and in the community. While detained, youth receive supportive services such as life skills training and discharge planning to promote successful reintegration into society and help prevent recidivism. Although discharge planning is the responsibility of juvenile court counselors, RYSE assists when appropriate with services that may include comprehensive screening, referral services, and collaboration with parents and court counselors to ensure strong connections to community resources. RYSE also provides the same resource connection services for community youth ages 10–17, available through walk-in or scheduled appointments.

While the report raises concerns about conditions across multiple facilities statewide, it is important to clarify that several assertions regarding Durham County’s operations are inaccurate. For example, the report references a room described as “the Hole.” Durham County does not operate any room designated or used for punitive solitary confinement. The facility maintains specialized observation rooms used only for youth experiencing acute mental-health crises and only under the guidance of mental health professionals to ensure safety. These spaces are not disciplinary tools.

Similarly, the amount of out-of-room time described in the report is inaccurate. This amount of time is determined by overall safety requirements for the residents and staff and operational realities of the facility. Many youth arrive under court orders restricting contact with certain peers, and conflicts may develop between residents during their stay. To ensure safety, staff must separate individuals into smaller group settings. This approach prioritizes the physical and emotional well-being of youth but can limit scheduling flexibility when staffing levels do not allow multiple small groups to operate simultaneously.

Staffing shortages—an issue affecting juvenile justice systems nationwide—have presented ongoing challenges. Despite this, Durham County continues actively recruiting, training, and retaining qualified youth counselors and support personnel. We are also working collaboratively with state partners to advocate for resources and policy support that will allow facilities to expand programming, increase out-of-room time, and enhance educational opportunities.

Durham County has already begun reviewing the report’s findings and is engaging with state officials, facility leadership, and community partners to identify areas for improvement. Where recommendations align with best practices and legal standards, we are committed to implementing constructive changes. At the same time, we will continue to correct inaccuracies and ensure public understanding of how the facility actually operates.

Youth in secure custody often arrive with complex needs, including trauma histories, behavioral challenges, and mental-health conditions. Addressing those needs requires a careful balance of rehabilitation, structure, and safety. Durham County remains steadfast in its responsibility to provide a secure environment that protects youth while helping them build skills for brighter futures.

We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement and will provide updates as our review and response efforts continue.

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