GA_Macon4

BASICS: Macon Youth Development Campus, Macon, Georgia. All girls facility, rated for 94 beds, at time of visit the population was 81 girls—60 african American, 14 Caucasians, and 6 other. Most are designated felons. Commitment and detention. Director Debbie Blasingame says the girls are challenging, hold you to your word, moody, motivated, and eager. It is the only facility for girls in the state, so transportation and distance are issues. Average stay is less than 12 months. They were under a DOJ (dept. of Justice) MOA (memorandum of understanding) for 10 years, until 2009. 75% of the population has mental health needs and 2/3 of that population is on psychotropic medication.

PICTURED: B, age 18, has been here 21 months and has 15 more to go. She has 25 high school credits, which puts her in honors and gives her a pink t-shirt. The judge might give her an early release. B hates the food here and won’t eat her chicken salad sandwich lunch, but nobody forces her to. Her mother, who is a substitute teacher, visits sometimes. B’s Father is deceased. Her sister and brother are both in the system, but she doesn’t know where.