PINE BLUFF, Ark. — The Jack Jones Juvenile Justice Center has been on 2nd Avenue in Jefferson County since the early 1990s.
"It was based on a tax passed by the voters of Jefferson County with the obvious need of building a juvenile detention facility," Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods said. "That facility was built, and we have operated since then."
Woods said they use their facility to help neighboring counties.
"We have a max capacity of 86," Woods said. "[We] certainly don't want to extend the capacity to 86 or beyond because then we suffer from overcrowding, which causes issues."
But it's becoming more difficult to lend that helping hand.
"Before COVID, we would keep maybe less than 30, somewhere between 25 and 30," Woods said. "I think it's been an uptick of particular crimes, serious violent crimes that have been perpetrated by juvenile offenders that have called for the demand of those bed spaces."
Woods said the trend in crimes among teens isn't just something we're seeing here in Central Arkansas, but across the state.
"When they call for bed space, one of the first things we ask is the nature of the crime," Woods said. "We're getting the same crimes perpetrated in other counties that we see here, homicides."
To keep up with high demand, they must manage bed space as best they can.
"We're looking at who we can release on an ankle monitor [and] who can be diverted to programs like Arkansas Youth Challenge that is hosted at Camp Robinson," Woods said.
According to Woods, programs like the Arkansas Youth Challenge help steer teens away from violence.
"Provides the structure and discipline," Woods said. "But also provides them with the educational foundation they need to be successful once they leave that program and enter back into society."
While Woods wants to continue helping other counties, helping teens stay out of the juvenile center is his ultimate goal.
"At the end of the day, we share a common interest of reducing crime, but also reduce recidivism in our facilities where we don't have this revolving door crime," Woods said.
Woods is part of Group Violence Intervention, an organization in Pine Bluff working to stop teen violence.
He said in the last three months, they've been working to reach as many community teens as possible.