Vermont’s sole juvenile detention center is empty

Vermont’s only juvenile detention center is empty for the first time in years.

Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center in Colchester has been under scrutiny for years and has faced numerous lawsuits over procedures.

Chief Juvenile Defender Marshall Pahl says several factors have led to the decrease in population, including a combination of policy and law changes, individual litigation and advocacy.

Vermont Public Radio reports that lawmakers have been considering what to do with the facility.

Department for Children and Families Commissioner Ken Schatz said Friday that the empty juvenile detention center is very striking and welcome news. He says it is consistent with a decline in court filings for delinquency and a decline in youth entering state custody as delinquents.