Charlotte, February 14, 2026
Local leaders in Charlotte, NC, are advocating for the reopening of Jail North, the juvenile detention center closed in November 2022. The facility’s closure has strained the justice system and families, with many juveniles currently located far from home. The plan involves significant costs and staffing challenges, but there is growing support for its revival. Advocates highlight the need for local housing to ensure better access to rehabilitative services for detained youth.
Charlotte
Momentum is rapidly building among local and state leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, to reopen Mecklenburg County’s juvenile detention center, known as Jail North. The facility has been shuttered since November 2022, leading to significant challenges for juveniles, their families, and the wider justice system. The push for its return comes amidst growing concerns over bed shortages and the logistical and emotional toll of housing young detainees outside the county.
Reactivating the 72-bed facility, once the largest juvenile detention center in the state, is projected to cost approximately $15.6 million annually, to be shared between the county and the state. However, the primary obstacle remains severe staffing shortages, requiring the recruitment of nearly 100 positions, including detention officers, health providers, and support staff.
Current Challenges and System Strain
Since its closure, Mecklenburg County has been sending its detained teenagers to other facilities, primarily in Cabarrus County, incurring an annual cost of about $3 million paid to the state. This displacement creates substantial burdens. Families often face considerable financial, psychological, and emotional strain due to increased travel distances for visits, which can also disrupt a child’s support network. Furthermore, transporting juveniles over long distances for court appearances can lead to case delays and hinder legal proceedings.
The closure has also contributed to a broader strain on North Carolina’s statewide juvenile detention system. In 2025, a total of 2,186 young individuals were admitted to juvenile detention centers across the state, with 243 of those originating from Mecklenburg County. The state’s system, comprising 12 centers with a total of 445 beds, only has 401 operational due to ongoing staffing shortages. This has resulted in a critical bed shortage, with instances of 15 to 20 young people sleeping on dayroom floors because no proper beds are available.
Concerns have also been raised about the conditions in other facilities, including a reported lack of out-of-cell time in some locations, leading to an increase in complaints since Jail North’s closure.
Reopening Hurdles and Collaborative Efforts
Sheriff Garry McFadden, who closed Jail North in 2022 due to staffing reassignment needs at the adult jail and budget cuts from reduced federal prisoner housing revenue, supports the reopening but underscores the formidable challenges. He noted that filling 96 positions, ranging from detention officers to mental health providers and food service workers, is a significant undertaking, especially given existing difficulties in recruiting for the county’s adult jail.
State juvenile justice leaders, including William Lassiter, Deputy Secretary for the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, have expressed the state’s readiness to partner in the reopening effort. Lassiter emphasized the urgency of developing an actionable plan before the county budget is passed in June. He also highlighted a potential financial incentive: if Mecklenburg County reopens Jail North, it could retain the $3 million currently spent on out-of-county housing and receive additional state funding.
Local advocacy groups and city officials are actively pushing for the reopening. Charlotte leaders have formally included the reopening of Jail North in their proposed 2026 legislative agenda, seeking support from Raleigh. The importance of housing juveniles locally is stressed to ensure access to proper case planning, court preparation, and essential rehabilitative services that were a hallmark of Jail North, which offered vocational training and re-entry programs.
Background and Future Outlook
Jail North’s closure in November 2022 was initially prompted by staffing shortages at the main county jail, requiring deputies to be reassigned. This decision was also influenced by a loss of revenue from housing federal detainees, which necessitated budget reductions. Before its closure, Jail North was praised for its robust programs and convenient location near the county courthouse, which facilitated timely court appearances and family engagement.
The “Raise the Age” law, which mandated that 16- and 17-year-olds be housed in juvenile facilities rather than adult jails, has also contributed to the increased demand for juvenile detention beds statewide, further exacerbating the current capacity issues.
While the path to reopening remains complex, with the new county manager’s staff now exploring options, there is a clear consensus among stakeholders that a local juvenile detention center is crucial for the welfare of young people and the efficiency of the justice system in Mecklenburg County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Mecklenburg County’s juvenile detention center close?
Mecklenburg County’s juvenile detention center, known as Jail North, closed in November 2022 primarily due to staffing shortages at the county’s main adult jail, which led to deputies being reassigned. It was also influenced by a loss of revenue from housing federal detainees, necessitating budget cuts.
How much would it cost to reopen the facility?
The estimated annual operating costs to reopen and run Jail North could reach $15.6 million, which would be shared between Mecklenburg County and the state.
What are the main challenges in reopening Jail North?
The main challenges are securing the necessary funding and addressing significant staffing shortages. Reopening would require approximately 96 positions, including detention officers, health providers, and various support staff.
Where are juveniles from Mecklenburg County being housed currently?
Juveniles from Mecklenburg County are primarily being housed in other facilities, such as the one in Cabarrus County, and are also spread out to other facilities across the state.
What impact has the closure had on families and the justice system?
The closure has imposed financial, psychological, and emotional burdens on families due to increased travel distances for visits and separation from support networks. It has also created logistical challenges for the justice system, including delays in court appearances due to longer travel times for teenagers.
Is there support for reopening the center?
Yes, there is growing momentum and support from city, county, and state officials, as well as advocacy groups, to reopen Jail North. Charlotte leaders have included it in their proposed 2026 legislative agenda to seek state support.
Key Features of Mecklenburg County’s Juvenile Detention Center (Jail North)
| Feature | Details | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Closure Date | November 2022 | Mecklenburg County |
| Capacity (original) | 72 juveniles | Mecklenburg County |
| Annual Reopening Cost Estimate | $15.6 million | Mecklenburg County / State-level |
| Required Staffing for Reopening | Approx. 96 positions (detention officers, supervisors, admin, health, food, maintenance, teachers) | Mecklenburg County |
| Previous Programs Offered | Vocational training, re-entry programs, educational services, mental health care, public speaking classes | Mecklenburg County |
| Current Alternative Housing for Juveniles | Primarily Cabarrus County, other state facilities | State-level |
| Annual Cost to County for Out-of-County Housing | Approximately $3 million | Mecklenburg County |
| Reason for Closure (Primary) | Staffing shortages at adult jail; budget cuts from reduced federal prisoner housing revenue | Mecklenburg County |
| Statewide Operational Beds (NC) | 401 (out of 445 total beds, due to staffing shortages) | State-level |
| Statewide Juvenile Division Staff Vacancy Rate | 24% (as of November 2024) | State-level |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
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