We as a community take offense at this facility for juvenile delinquents being called a “Youth Development Center.”   It is a PRISON for juveniles and nothing more.   If it were truly a Youth Development Center and not a PRISON, we would be able to take our neighborhood children there for their own development on a voluntary basis. 

When the NCDJJDP calls a facility such as this a Youth Development Center it tarnishes the activities in our community that are genuine youth development.   These activities are designed for teaching and skills development in our non violent non criminal youth population for example:

High Point Parks and Recreation has a Ball Park less than 1.5 miles from the proposed juvenile prison.   This true community Youth Development Center hosts close to 1,000 youth and parents every spring, summer and fall.   This center promotes athletic, team and leadership skills.   No employees are needed to run this facility as its program staff is entirely volunteer.

A private neighborhood ball field is located directly across the street from the proposed juvenile prison (see definition above).   This field has been privately constructed, operated and maintained specifically for the development of local youth. 15-20 children and their parents gather here at least twice a week to practice ball.   This youth development goes on every spring, summer and fall at no cost to the city, county or state.   This facility is maintained at the expense, both time and money, of residents on Sandy Camp Rd.    If the proposed juvenile prison is constructed directly across the street it will hinder our community efforts and successes with our local youth.

There is also a batting cage being erected just down the street which will be home to a new traveling softball team.   This team will bring another 20-30 children and parents into our community every week.