The facility is proposed to be closed by July 31, 2008. “The state’s juvenile offender population has been declining in recent years.” said James Tilton, Secretary of Department of Corrections.  “Legislation signed last year will allow us to focus on those youths with the greatest risk and needs while accommodating a shift in the population designed to keep most youth in their home communities.”  In September, 2007, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a law realigning the types of wards the state will receive and treat, based on the severity of the offenses committed. 

Effectively, this keeps offenders formerly referred for less serious crimes in their county of commitment, ensuring that juvenile offenders who have committed less serious offenses receive treatment closer to home and near family support. As the youth offender population drops, the result will be a higher concentration of youth who are sexual offenders, more violent, and/or gang entrenched. Efforts are underway to develop a system-wide plan for appropriate long-term facilities. The Department of Corrections has also assembled a team of specialists to find jobs for the 800 staff impacted by the closures.  No specific reuse of either facility slated for closure has been identified, however the Department of Corrections has initiated a survey to see how the existing facilities could best serve the state and local communities. For more information on juvenile facilities in the state, please visit the Department of Corrections website at www.cdcr.ca.gov.