What’s in a name? Leon County no longer has a “jail”, but instead a “detention facility.” That name change reflects a changed reality for the building and the people who occupy it.
Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil explained between 30% and 40% of the facility’s inmates need some form of mental health services, treatments or therapies, which are now being provide.
“The goal is to reduce recidivism and help participants live a healthy, stable and more importantly, a crime-free life,” he said at Tuesday’s (10/10) unveiling of the new sign denoting the building as the “Leon County Detention Facility.
One of the partners in that effort is the Apalachee Center. Its director Jay Reeve said more services means fewer people winding up back at the facility and less taxpayer expense.
“If folks are actively engaged in treatment you tend to see anywhere between a 10% and 20% drop in recidivism.”
The facility also has special programs for veterans and youthful offenders.
