Montgomery, AL – A report commissioned by the Southern Poverty Law Center suggests the state should close two Department of Youth Services detention facilities for delinquent girls and instead provide community-based treatment.
The report released Tuesday and prepared for the SPLC, the Center for Public Representation and the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program suggests closing the DYS facility for girls at Chalkville and a DYS program in Tuscaloosa.
The report was released at a time when state officials were assessing damage to the Chalkville facility which was hit by a tornado Monday. Gov. Robert Bentley said arrangements are being made to at least temporarily move the girls.
An attorney for Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program, Nancy Anderson, said the state should save money on repairs and close the aging facility.
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