6 months after lawsuit alleging inhumane conditions, Franklin Co. Juvenile Detention Center set to close

The Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center will close on Dec. 31, Chief Judge Mellissa A. Morgan announced Friday, about six months after a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of several minors by the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois accused the facility of keeping children in inhumane conditions and subjecting them to solitary confinement for long periods.

Franklin Co. Juvenile Detention Center.JPG — The Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center will close on Dec. 31, about six months after a class-action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union accused the facility of human rights abuses.
ROBERT ROBBINS | THE SOUTHERN

The Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center will close on Dec. 31, about six months after a class-action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union accused the facility of human rights abuses.
ROBERT ROBBINS | THE SOUTHERN

A news release announcing the closure cited staffing shortages, but did not reference the lawsuit.

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Wrong Side of the Tracks — Railroad tracks stretch behind a small yard at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center Dec. 29.
ROBERT ROBBINS | THE SOUTHERN

Railroad tracks stretch behind a small yard at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center Dec. 29.
ROBERT ROBBINS | THE SOUTHERN

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Razor Wire .JPG — Razor wire seen at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center on Dec. 29.
ROBERT ROBBINS | THE SOUTHERN

Razor wire seen at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center on Dec. 29.
ROBERT ROBBINS | THE SOUTHERN

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Facility Sign.JPG — A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on June 30 alleged children as young as 11 were being confined to cells the size of parking spaces for up to 23 hours per day
ROBERT ROBBINS | THE SOUTHERN

A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union on June 30 alleged children as young as 11 were being confined to cells the size of parking spaces for up to 23 hours per day
ROBERT ROBBINS | THE SOUTHERN

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FENCE — A fence encloses a small yard at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center
ROBERT ROBBINS | THE SOUTHERN

A fence encloses a small yard at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center
ROBERT ROBBINS | THE SOUTHERN

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6 months after lawsuit alleging inhumane conditions, Franklin Co. Juvenile Detention Center set to close

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