Allegheny County Launches New Board to Supervise Juvenile Facility

Allegheny County has established a new advisory board to oversee the operations of the recently reopened juvenile detention facility, formerly known as the Shuman Center. This board convened for its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, more than a year after the facility’s relaunch under the name Highland Detention at Shuman. County Executive Sara Innamorato emphasized the board’s role in providing transparency and accountability, stating, “It’s important for the public to have an eye on what’s going on at our juvenile detention facilities.”

The advisory board, which had been inactive since the facility’s closure in September 2021, is designed to incorporate community perspectives into the management of juvenile detention operations. The former Shuman Juvenile Detention Center was shut down after the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services revoked its operating license. Since its reopening in the summer of 2024, the facility has been managed by the Latrobe-based nonprofit Adelphoi.

Board Composition and Responsibilities

The newly formed board consists of local experts and advocates from the juvenile legal system. Members include Judge Tiffany Sizemore, Kathi Elliott, the CEO of Gwen’s Girls, Richard Garland, executive director of Reimagine Reentry, Kristy Trautmann, executive director of the FISA Foundation, and Dr. Terri Collin Dilmore, a clinical and forensic psychologist. Appointments also include Judge Jennifer McCrady, executive director of Café Momentum Cheyenne Tyler, and Dr. Edward Mulvey, a professor of psychiatry emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Innamorato and County Controller Corey O’Connor complete the ten-member board.

While the board is tasked with compiling an annual report and recommending a budget for facility maintenance, it holds no power to enforce actions. Assistant County Solicitor John Bacharach clarified that the board lacks the authority to direct either the county’s Department of Human Services or Adelphoi in their operations. Instead, its role is to provide “moral authority” to address issues and concerns regarding the facility’s management.

Facility Status and Future Plans

During the meeting, board members reviewed a dashboard tracking the facility’s population. Since its reopening, a total of 267 boys have been detained, with approximately 85% identifying as Black, a stark contrast to the county’s overall demographic where Black individuals make up less than 14% of the population. Additionally, members received updates on ongoing construction at the facility, with only one of five planned 12-bed pods completed last year. The remaining pods, designed to accommodate up to 60 children, are not expected to open until mid-2027, with further delays anticipated due to budget constraints in Harrisburg.

Innamorato acknowledged the facility’s need for significant renovations, stating that it “had not been updated in decades.” She confirmed that the 16 children currently held at Allegheny County Jail will remain there until the additional pods are finished, highlighting the importance of meeting safety and operational standards.

The advisory board is scheduled to meet bi-monthly, beginning in January 2025, and aims to foster collaboration between the county, Adelphoi, and the community to balance public safety with the needs of young individuals in the juvenile detention system. Innamorato expressed optimism regarding Adelphoi’s management, emphasizing that the new board represents a commitment to ensuring the facility operates effectively and responsibly.