Executive Director Requests Security Fence for Juvenile Services Facility in Brazos County

Concerns over juvenile facility security took center stage at the Brazos County Commissioners Court Budget Workshop on August 11, 2025, as the executive director of juvenile services made a compelling case for a new security fence. Highlighting a recent escape incident, the director emphasized the urgent need for fencing around the facility to prevent potential liabilities and ensure the safety of both juveniles and the community.

The director recounted a troubling escape that occurred the day after Thanksgiving in 2024, stressing that a fence could have prevented the incident. "If the young man or anyone had gotten out, hurt someone, and got hurt himself, it's gonna cost much more than $412,000," she warned. The proposed fencing would encompass the entire facility, addressing vulnerabilities around fire doors and recreation areas where juveniles could potentially access the outside.

Commissioners expressed support for the initiative, with discussions touching on the necessity of compliance with jail standards, including the installation of razor wire atop the fence. The director acknowledged the concerns about aesthetics but reiterated the facility's nature as a detention center, stating, "It is a jail... we do house kids that think about escaping."

The meeting underscored the critical need for enhanced security measures at the juvenile services facility, with the director urging immediate action. "I really think that we need to do it now, and the sooner, the better," she concluded, leaving the court to consider the implications of the proposed fencing on community safety and juvenile management.