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Juvenile Detention Center shuts down immediately

Posted at 5:18 PM, Apr 26, 2012
and last updated 2012-04-26 18:03:06-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) Richmond City officials say that the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center is shutting down right now, and will stay closed for a year.

This decision follows previous complaints of safety concerns, but also new allegations over a questionable relationship between a guard and a juvenile.

The NAACP first held a press conference on Oct. 24, describing the conditions at the center as "abominable, unsafe, inexcusable."

The facility has come under fire for what some call unsafe conditions including broken locks, surveillance cameras and intercoms and even forged documents.

The 40 juveniles offenders are in the process of being relocated at this hour. We're told they must be kept in a similar state facility.

In a press release, Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced that most operational staff will be put on administrative leave until further notice.