Fayette County, Tenn. — A bill that proposes the construction of a new juvenile detention facility in West Tennessee has passed a House subcommittee this week, with work expected to begin in 2026.

“This bill requires the Department of Children’s Services to begin construction of a new facility by January of 2026. This facility will house children who are being detained while awaiting adjudication, allegations of delinquency, or unruliness,” said State Representative Mary Littleton (R), who introduced the bill.

House Bill 1358 passed unanimously and will now proceed to the next legislative stages. The proposed facility is expected to cost approximately $284 million.

The current facility, the Wilder Youth Development Center in Fayette County, has long been the subject of scrutiny due to a history of incidents. The facility, which is run by the Department of Children’s Services, houses boys aged 14 to 18 from Shelby County and across Tennessee who are found guilty of violent crimes.

Recent reports from WREG investigators have highlighted a troubling pattern of incidents at the Wilder facility, with records from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office showing multiple assault calls, riots, and escapes between 2019 and 2022. Concerns over safety and facility management have intensified as data reveals that 60% of the state's juvenile detainees are from the western district.

The proposed new facility is expected to feature 289 beds — 157 existing, with an additional 132 new beds. The Wilder facility, which has been in operation since 1971, has faced mounting issues, including frequent disturbances, and the need for a new facility has become critical.

Although the bill has passed, the specific location and required acreage for the new facility have not yet been disclosed. Last year, the Department of Children’s Services reported receiving more than $100 million in additional funding through a real estate plan, with $19 million of that designated to begin the design phase for a new Wilder center and another facility in Nashville.

WREG reached out to the Department of Children’s Services for more details regarding the bill and the future of the current Wilder facility, but there has been no comment so far.

The construction of the new juvenile detention center is seen as a necessary response to the ongoing challenges at Wilder, where overcrowding and safety issues have raised alarms for years. The bill’s passage comes amid growing calls for improved juvenile detention standards, with the aim to create a safer environment for both detainees and staff.

Despite the growing concerns about the current facility’s operations, the new center’s design and operational details remain unclear. The lack of information on the location and size of the new facility has sparked questions from local residents and advocacy groups, who are urging lawmakers to consider all factors before proceeding with construction.

Advocates for reforming the juvenile justice system in Tennessee have emphasized that the new center must include adequate support services and educational programs for the detainees to reduce the likelihood of reoffending. These services are seen as key in providing a more rehabilitative approach to juvenile detention, rather than simply punitive measures.

The $284 million proposed budget for the new facility would be a significant investment in Tennessee's juvenile justice infrastructure. However, some critics have expressed concerns over how the funding will be allocated, especially if it results in cuts to other necessary programs within the Department of Children’s Services.

State lawmakers and community leaders are watching the process closely, as the future of Tennessee’s juvenile detention system could see major changes in the coming years, depending on how the new facility is designed and managed.

Originally reported by Shay Arthur in News 3 Channel.