Shuman Juvenile Detention Center

On today’s episode of The Confluence: Allegheny County’s newly appointed controller tells us his priorities as he joins county government and becomes the newest member of the Jail Oversight Board; after the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center closed last September, researchers asked some who had spent time at Shuman what alternatives to the center they want created; and a look at the reaction to the renaming of Heinz Field, now that the lease between the condiment company and football team is coming to an end. Today’s guests include: Corey O’Connor, Allegheny County controller; Sara Goodkind, professor with the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Social Work; and Brian Batko, reporter with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

On today’s program: Kathi Elliott from Gwen’s Girls explains how the closing of the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center will impact the approximately 20 young people housed at the center, and their families; a look at the track record of Kevin Sousa, a local chef who has opened four restaurants in the last decade, but left them for new ventures; and a conversation with author Damian Dressick about his latest collection of “flash” fiction.

The Shuman Juvenile Detention Center will close in September. Allegheny County officials made the announcement Monday, citing ongoing violations. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services revoked the facility’s license to operate last week.

Allegheny County has reported to the state government on the reforms it has implemented at the Shuman Juvenile Detention Center following a Pennsylvania…