Sheriff McFadden Seeks State Funding to Reopen Juvenile Jail

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden met with advocates from The Children's Alliance on Wednesday to demand the reopening of Jail North, a juvenile facility closed since 2022. Youth and teenage inmates are currently transported to other counties, a practice that both the sheriff and advocates argue harms long-term outcomes for the juveniles.

McFadden proposes a redesigned facility featuring separate wings for adults and juveniles, which would also alleviate overcrowding at the Uptown jail. He estimates that renovating the facility will cost 38 million dollars, with an additional 18 million dollars required for annual operating expenses.

Despite claiming the state has the necessary capital, McFadden stated the facility will not reopen until the state commits the funding upfront. Representatives from The Children's Alliance joined the push, arguing that youth are better served when remaining within their own communities.