Midland County, established in the late 1800s, earned its name as the midpoint on the historic railroad line between El Paso and Fort Worth. Located in the heart of the Permian Basin, the county has become a central hub for the oil and gas industry. Today, Midland County ranks first in Texas for total oil production and second for total gas production. Spanning approximately 900 square miles, the county is home to an estimated population of 183,600 residents. The current Juvenile Justice Department operates out of the Barbara Culver Juvenile Justice Center at 3800 N Lamesa Road in Midland, Texas. The facility, comprising three buildings and totaling around 30,800 square feet, is aging and faces ongoing maintenance challenges. It lacks indoor recreational or gym space and presents a stark, institutional environment that does not align with modern, trauma-informed approaches to juvenile justice. To better serve the youth and families of Midland County, a new, purpose-built Juvenile Detention Center is planned. This single-story facility, with an estimated construction cost of $24 million, is scheduled to break ground in fall 2026. Designed to initially house 24 juveniles, the facility will be constructed with future expansion in mind, with core areas—such as administration, intake, medical, kitchen, and support services—sized to accommodate up to 40 beds. The new center will feature a comprehensive array of spaces to support secure housing, rehabilitation, and education. Key components include: • Public and Community Areas: Lobby, meeting room, and public restrooms • Administrative Offices: Workspaces for probation and support staff • Visitation Areas: Both contact and non-contact visitation rooms • Master Control Room: Centralized operations and security oversight • Educational and Recreational Facilities: Classrooms and a half-court gymnasium • Intake and Medical Wing: Vehicle sallyport, holding rooms, medical exam and clinical offices, and storage • Support Infrastructure: Full kitchen, laundry facilities, and staff amenities • Housing Pods: Four units—two 8-bed and two 4-bed pods—with ADA-compliant sleeping rooms, day rooms, and shared multipurpose spaces The total building footprint will range between 28,000 and 30,000 square feet. This new facility is designed to reflect and support the mission, vision, and core values of the Midland County Juvenile Justice Department: • Mission: To collaborate with families and agencies to promote positive behavior by providing prevention, intervention, treatment, and sanctions that empower youth to become law-abiding citizens. • Vision: To be the most innovative, effective, and compassionate juvenile justice department in the United States. • Core Values: o Integrity: Upholding high standards of trustworthiness and responsibility o Advocacy: Empowering youth and families to strive for excellence o Compassion: Responding to the struggles of others with support and care o Teamwork: Partnering with agencies to deliver innovative services
