Sheriff’s Public Forum

A possible "Regional Therapeutic Treatment Facility For Youth Offenders" will be the topic of discussion this Wednesday evening at the Clifton Chenier Center on West Willow. The Lafaytte Sheriff's office will hold the public forum to get comments and concerns about the possible Office of Juvenile Justice building. The new facility would be located at 215 Raggio Road in Scott on 9 and a half acres of land. The facility would be a 42 to 78 bed facility for youth.

According to the press release from the sheriff's office the "proposed facility will provide therapeutic services for adjudicated youth in the Acadiana area, allowing them to stay closer to home, community, and family while providing a local continuum of care." Dr. Girard Melancon, Assistant Secretary of the Office Of Juvenile Justice will be on hand to answer questions along with explaining these types of state run facilities.

The release goes on to say that "the proposed facility will provide therapeutic services for adjudicated youth in the Acadiana area, allowing them to stay closer to home, community, and family while providing a local continuum of care. The proposed facility tentatively called The Acadiana Center for Youth will implement proven treatment models that focus on therapeutic services, accountability, and restorative justice. Facility staff will assess youths' needs and risks, and will provide substance abuse, mental health treatment and education."