Board continues to review problems at the Bean Juvenile Center
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
The Knox County Juvenile Service Center Board of Directors held its second meeting on Wednesday to continue its review of the problems at the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center.
At-large Commissioner Larsen Jay serves as chairman and passed along information on juvenile detention centers across the state. Interim administrator Brian Bivens reported that he has hired a captain to assist him, and he is upgrading the camera system at the 3323 Division Street facility and upgrading the electronic key boxes at exit doors. He said partnerships are being established with a health team and school mental health workers, and a comfort dog has been added. He said the juvenile population there is about 4-1 male, with 28 in custody.
Juveniles may spend a few days at the center prior to trial or longer if they are being held on a violent or criminal charge. He said one youth, a Powell boy, may be held there for months. Jay and Bivens discussed finances, and Bivens said a budget request has not been submitted yet.
Mark Anderson, the licensing director of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, told the meeting that his agency is visiting weekly during the transition between the Bean staff and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office’s assuming operations next January, when the visits may shift to quarterly. He said the Bean Center has not been authorized by the state in the past two years.
Judge Tim Irwin said that the DCS was never present at past board meetings.
Jay asked Anderson about any progress in a state comptroller’s report on the past problems there, and the DCS official indicated the investigation is underway based on some past health issues.
Dr. Marie Bly, juvenile court mental health director, said care there was “severely restricted” until Mr. Bivens came on board. She said the children being held are now screened at intake and provided immediate services if needed. Judge Irwin noted that attorneys for some youth halt services for the children on legal grounds.
Heather Willis, Knox County Schools’ social work supervisor, explained the center’s work dealing with special education and subjects like math and science, along with therapy and speech. She said funding has been coming from the Title One program and the school system provides books, computers and other needs.
The board was urged to work with other local agencies as the center is reorganized. Members of the group meet again on Tuesday, September 16 in the juvenile courtroom.
