Resolution 183-2002
Commissioner Dixie Spehar
RESOLUTION NO.183 -2002
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA BESEECHING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND THE STATE
LEGISLATURE TO FIND FUNDING TO STAFF THE NEW JUVENILE DETENTION
CENTER FOR MONROE COUNTY
WHEREAS, for approximately 20 years, Monroe County juveniles needing detention criteria have
been driven to the Miami/Dade Detention facility pending their next hearing; and
WHEREAS, transportation of said juveniles is a dangerous and expensive trip taking up to 5 hours
each way; and
WHEREAS, transportation on US 1 in Monroe County, and especially between Key Largo and the
mainland is increasingly dangerous and puts children and state workers at risk; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County juveniles detained for as long as 21 days in Miami are unable to see or
communicate effectively with their families or attorneys; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is charged in FS ~20.316 with responsibility
for planning, coordinating and managing programs and services in the juvenile justice continuum; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 985, FS, sets forth a variety of purposes including safeguarding and protecting
the children in DJJ's care, preserving the child's family ties, and siting residential facilities for juvenile
offenders close to the home communities of the children they house to ensure the most effective
rehabilitation efforts; and
WHEREAS, Monroe County and its Sheriff contributed approximately $4.83 million towards the
construction of a new juvenile detention facility at a site within the home community of the majority of
children who would reside or receive services there and much closer to the home community of most
remaining children to be detained or served than the Miami/Dade detention facility; and
WHEREAS, due to budget cuts, the Department of Juvenile Justice is not providing funds to staff
the new detention center; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA:
Section 1.
The BOCC and Sheriff for Monroe County have contributed significant resources to
the completion of the new Juvenile Detention Center with the expectation that the facility would be utilized
to provide in Monroe County, close to home, services and programs in the juvenile justice continuum so as to
enhance the safety, welfare, rehabilitation and post release supervision of Monroe County children.
Section 2.
Some of the costs of staffing the new Juvenile Detention Center would be offset by
the decrease in cost of the transportation, and would significantly reduce the potential for liability due to
injuries and deaths which might occur during transportation to the Miami/Dade Juvenile Detention Center.
Section 3.
The Department of Juvenile Justice and the State Legislatures are beseeched to
take every step possible to find the necessary funding to staff the Juvenile Detention Center in Monroe
County.
Section 4.
Copies of this Resolution shall be distributed to the Secretary for the Department of
Juvenile Justice and to the State Legislatures representing Monroe County.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe C~nty, FI~da, !! a
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regular meeting of said Board held on the 17th day of April, 2002. ~pi ~ ~
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE C NTY, FLORIDA
By
jdresDJJ
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE
June 6, 2002
The Honorable Danny L. Kolhage
Clerk of the Court
Monroe County Courthouse
500 Whitehead Street
Key West, FL 33040
Re: Monroe County Resolution # 183-2002
Dear Mr. Kolhage:
Thank you for advising me of the Commission's April 17, 2002, Resolution regarding the new Juvenile
Justice Detention and Commitment facility in Key West, Florida. I am extremely grateful for the
interest and support Monroe County has shown toward the development of this facility.
I understand the concerns of the Board of County Commissioners for Monroe County with regard to
the current placement of juvenile offenders from Monroe County. Long transports of youth from Key
West to Miami involve many risks and costs. However, due to the September 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks and resultant budget cuts, even the Department's ability to maintain enough staff at
established facilities was tested. Consequently, there has been little opportunity to endeavor to staff a
new facility.
The Department is working on budget proposals for the next fiscal year. Subject to revenue
availability, I am hopeful that the Department will allocate funding for staff and operations at the new
Monroe County facility in the 2003-2004 budget.
Thank you again for the financial and community support of Monroe County for this project. I will
continue to do everything I can to improve the placement options for Monroe County's juvenile
offenders. I recognize what funding the new facility would mean for the people of Key West, and
appreciate the Commissioners' efforts toward making this goal a reality.
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laill' Bankhea
Secretary
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JEB BUSH, GOVERNOR
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-3100
W. G. "BILL" BANKHEAD, SECRETARY