Years-Long Effort to Update Kearny Mesa Juvenile Hall Complete

Recent upgrades to the Youth Transition Campus (YTC) in Kearny Mesa will benefit students, and help streamline experiences at both San Diego SOAR Academy sites.

“The new campus is stunning and will play a crucial role in supporting our students both socially and emotionally,” said Nathan Head, principal at the East Mesa site. “This enhanced environment will keep students closely connected to their community and families during this challenging period."

Phase II of the upgrades at the site were the final step in a journey that started six years ago to update San Diego’s juvenile detention facilities. This phase included additional living units, a standalone school with six classrooms, sports facilities, and a family visitation area.

In collaboration with the San Diego County Probation Department, SDCOE oversees the educational program, San Diego SOAR Academy, at both YTC and the East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility.

With construction now complete, YTC will house all youth, including those who are awaiting trial and those who have been sentenced. It will also serve as the intake center for youth. East Mesa will house the overflow youth from YTC and individuals with longer sentences.

Planning for the new facilities started nearly 10 years ago when San Diego County probation, along with SDCOE and juvenile justice partners, worked with national experts from Georgetown University's National Center for Juvenile Justice Reform and the Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators to align the operational approach and facility design using the Youth In Custody Practice Model. Some facets of the model include creating safe and healthy facility environments, engaging youth and families, delivering high-quality, facility-based education, programming, health services, and effectively motivating positive youth behavior.

Learn more about Phase II in this article in the County News Center.