LAWRENCE CO. — The Lawrence County Probation Department has formally requested permission to participate in the Alternative to Detention (ATD) program, a move aimed at prioritizing rehabilitation over incarceration for local youth.
ATD programs are designed as community-based, non-secure options that keep juveniles in their homes or familiar environments while they await court dates or complete sentencing. The primary goal is to reduce recidivism by addressing the root causes of behavior rather than placing youth in secure detention centers.
The probation department’s request to the commissioners, this morning, was to utilize existing local infrastructure to provide safe, “user-friendly” spaces for youth who need temporary custody but do not pose a threat to the public.
The department plans to partner with The Agape Kids House of Lawrence County, a non-profit emergency transition home known for providing immediate stability for children in crisis.
Additionally, the program would utilize Janie’s House. Supported by rock legend Steven Tyler’s “Janie’s Fund” in partnership with Youth Villages, this facility provides a highly structured residential and therapeutic environment specifically tailored for girls.
These locations offer a “short-term residential care” model—a safe harbor for youth who cannot immediately return home but do not belong in a jail cell.
The commissioners approved the request.
