Frustration sets in as hiring struggles continue at juvenile detention center

Westmoreland commissioners said there is growing frustration over delays to fully reopen the county’s juvenile detention center program.

The 16-bed detention center at the Regional Youth Services Center in Hempfield was closed in June following a series of state inspections that cited the facility for staffing and training issues. It reopened on a limited basis last month and, on Tuesday, only one juvenile was held in custody at the center.

As staffing levels continue to lag, officials said, it is unlikely the detention program will be able to accept additional juveniles until at least March.

“It is very frustrating,” Commissioner Sean Kertes said. We want this facility up and running, and we understand there are concerns about public safety.”

Commissioners last month said they were hopeful increased wages approved for staff in late 2023 would help alleviate the staffing concerns.

Pay was increased for juvenile detention center workers by about $7,000 a year. Annual salaries for staffers now range between $49,000 and $55,000 per year.

Although two staffers were hired in the past week, the facility still does not have enough employees to allow it to fully reopen, juvenile detention center Director Rich Gordon said.

Five positions remain unfilled. Until workers are hired for those positions, the detention center cannot fully open, Gordon said, saying he is unwilling to settle for lesser-qualified candidates to allow the facility to be restored to full operation.

“I understand this is frustrating, but it doesn’t do us any good to bring in people who quit, will not work out or might get hurt,” Gordon said.

Still, the hiring process continues. Even when staff is brought on board, a three-week training program for new employees will further push back a potential reopening.

The juvenile detention center program shares the building with a nonsecure shelter program for troubled youth. The eight-bed shelter continues to operate with a nine-person staff to monitor residents. There are two vacant jobs at the shelter program, Gordon said.

“With the vacancies in both departments, we can’t split people in half to cover both sides (of the building). Even if I hire today the people we need, it will be at least another month or so before we can reopen detention. If we can’t get enough people, maybe we can open up on a smaller basis,” Gordon said.

Commissioners late last year targeted January for a reopening but now say there is no anticipated date to restore full operations at the juvenile detention center.

“Our frustration can’t get in the way, but it is maddening we can’t find folks to work down there,” Commissioner Ted Kopas said.