Juvenile Justice Complex

In early 1997, the Juvenile Justice Local Action Plan identified the need for a new juvenile detention & commitment facility in Ventura County, stating the Clifton Tatum Center (juvenile hall) was overcrowded and antiquated. By late 1998, the concept of a Juvenile Justice Complex had developed and the Board of Supervisors authorized the application for a juvenile facilities construction grant. The California Board of Corrections subsequently awarded the Ventura County Probation Agency $40.5 million in construction funds, the largest in the state.

By late 1999, the project management firm of Jacobs Facilities, Inc. was hired, and in early 2000, the architectural firm of Kaplan, McLaughlin and Diaz was selected to design the complex. The design for the new Juvenile Justice Complex was completed within the year, and in June 2001, the County awarded the $43.1 million construction contract to S J Amoroso Construction. Construction on the complex began on June 26, 2001.

The Juvenile Justice Complex is located on a 45- acre parcel in the El Rio community of Oxnard. When completed, the state of the art complex will include a 240 bed detention facility, three 60 bed commitment facilities, a gymnasium and vocational training center, large recreation areas, administrative offices, medical and visiting facilities, and a full scale kitchen and laundry. The juvenile housing facilities will be completed in July 2003, with occupancy occurring in September 2003. Adjacent to the juvenile housing facilities will be a court building. This facility will include 6 courtrooms with judges' chambers and related support spaces. Construction on the Court facility is scheduled to be complete in June/July 2004.