CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday that several juveniles held at the Mecklenburg County Juvenile Detention Center will be relocated due to a staffing shortage.
Officials with the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office say 23 juveniles are currently being held in Mecklenburg County but are facing charges in other counties.
The relocation will decrease the juvenile population at the detention center by a third and will allow for up to 29 officers to work at Mecklenburg County Detention Center-Central, where there is a dire staffing need, according to a news release.
Sheriff’s Office officials say there have been significant impacts to staffing due to vacancies, ongoing training, COVID-19, and increased cases of employees using the Family Medical Leave Act.
Sheriff McFadden said, “This decision was made with careful thought and consideration. Since the onset of the pandemic in 2019, our staff has worked tirelessly for 20 months to continue operations and ensure the safety of our detention centers. Mandatory overtime has been implemented and resources have been committed from other areas of MCSO to assist with staffing shortages at Mecklenburg County Detention Center Central specifically. Every sector of this agency has been impacted. Trials have been delayed, resulting in some residents remaining in our facility longer than anticipated. While this is not a permanent solution, it will provide temporary relief and resources where they are currently needed most.”