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Last updated on Friday, November 18, 2016
(KNOX CO.) - Costs related to the detention of juvenile delinquents is up in Knox County.
County Commissioner Kelli Streeter came before the County Council last night seeking additional funds to pay for the incarceration of juveniles. Chief Probation Officer James Rees says its been a rough year in terms of of expenses for his department. He says there are some teens awaiting transfer to state facilities leaving the county on the hook for their care. Council members questioned Rees about recuperating some of the costs from parents, but former Knox Superior Court Judge and councilman Tim Crowley explained, while parents can be held liable for restitution in cases of vandalism caused by their child, there are no provisions in state code to make pay parents for their child's incarceration.
Crowley added it also depends on severity of the charges against the juvenile. If anyone has been injured or drugs are involved the courts usually rule on the side of safety and have the offender placed in detention.
Rees told Council members that claims filed with the probation department are reviewed to make sure expense are accurate.
The council agreed to appropriate $58,000 from the County Option Income Tax to cover the costs.
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