'We have to ensure the safety': Harris County greenlights $60M in juvenile facility repairs

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- Juvenile probation department facilities across Harris County will soon see major repairs after years of deferred maintenance, according to county leaders.

Harris County Commissioners Court approved a capital improvement plan that totals about $60 million over five years.

The money is meant to address what officials called known damages and deficiencies across multiple juvenile probation facilities.

"The issue is that those things need to be maintained. They need to be replaced. We're working towards developing a plan that's sustainable and financially more responsible," Sam Peña, the Chief of Infrastructure Services for Harris County Engineering, said.

Two locations in need of extensive work are the Youth Village in Seabrook and the Katy Leadership Academy.

"We have to ensure the safety of the staff and the vulnerable population that exists in these facilities," Peña said.

County documents detailed a backlog of deferred maintenance at these facilities. Peña said that could've been due to funding or supply chain issues.

"If we don't do them and it results in an emergency, the cost goes up beyond what we would normally expect to pay."

Maintenance ranged from installing backup generators to repairing detention doors, exterior windows, and lighting around the facilities.

Peña said addressing these repairs is critical to keep facilities safe and operational.

Not doing them, he said, could create safety hazards and even impact juvenile court hearings if housing areas are impacted.

"Any time we have to displace the residents from those locations, it causes a backup in the system," Peña said. "Anything that has to do with life safety or code compliance or keeping the doors open is what we're going to prioritize."

For more news updates, follow Sarah Al-Shaikh on Facebook and Instagram.