Hennepin, Ramsey move toward plan for joint treatment of teen offenders

After decades running their own juvenile facilities, Hennepin and Ramsey counties are taking the unusual step of teaming up to plan a joint residential treatment center for teenage criminal offenders.

Officials say that the new facility, which won’t open at least until 2019, will save both counties money, upgrade the aging facilities that now exist and allow the counties to expand services.

“It shouldn’t matter if you’re a young person living east or west of the Mississippi River … you should have access to the same continuum of services,” said Ryan O’Connor, Ramsey County’s policy and planning director.

http://www.startribune.com/hennepin-ramsey-move-toward-plan-for-joint-treatment-of-teen-offenders/365708851/