Pittsburgh spends millions on juvenile detention – research points to cheaper, more effective alternatives

Allegheny County is pouring millions into a new juvenile detention facility, even as evidence mounts that alternatives to detention are more helpful.

By: Jeffrey Shook, University of Pittsburgh, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 18, 2026

Words: 1,312

Last Updated: 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Body Text Preview

By Jeffrey Shook, University of Pittsburgh

Data released in January 2026 to Allegheny County officials offers a clear look at who is being held at Highland Detention Center – and how much it costs taxpayers. The numbers show short stays, significant racial disparities and millions spent to operate the facility. These findings raise new questions about whether detention is being used effectively in the county’s youth justice system.

In 2025, 220 young people passed through the …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us