by Drew Smith
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Benton County will soon open a shelter for teenage boys in a renovated space within the juvenile detention center.
The Alternative Placement Adolescent Center (APAC) will house up to eight teens, ages 13 to 17, for 90 days. Parents will voluntarily sign their kids into the shelter and nobody will be court-ordered to participate in the program. Teens with a record of violent, sexual, or gang-related crimes will not be allowed to stay in the APAC.
Juvenile officials unveiled the building at an open house event on April 22. Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Benton County Circuit Judge Tom Smith gave a speech focusing on how the shelter could prevent teens from becoming repeat offenders.
“By giving them this chance to get family services and peace in the community, where they are not in a dangerous situation, we are going to be able to help kids get the help they need,” Smith said. “Hopefully, then we can keep from locking them up.”
The shelter features open visitation rooms, without the traditional glass dividers. Teens can enjoy board games, television, and an outdoor courtyard for activities like volleyball, four square, and basketball.