A memo from Director Eden Hendrick, dated June 5, 2025:

Over the past five years, the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ) has undergone significant changes in how we serve youth across the state. The implementation of "Raise the Age" legislation and the closure of several local detention centers have led to an increase in youth held in state custody for pretrial detention—and for longer periods of time. In response, SCDJJ has taken important steps to adapt and improve the care and supervision we provide. These actions include expanding evidence-based community programs; launching a pilot Day Reporting Center; strengthening our electronic monitoring program; and working toward reopening the Greenville County Juvenile Detention Center. 

Despite these improvements, the increased population has placed substantial strain on our existing Juvenile Detention Center (JDC). Staff have done an extraordinary job managing nearly double capacity in a building not designed for long-term rehabilitative care. While SCDJJ’s long-term vision remains to consolidate all secure residential, administrative and support services at the 200+ acre campus at 4900 Broad River Road in Columbia, we are also focused on modernizing and improving our current facilities to meet today’s needs.

SCDJJ is excited to announce that renovations to the Midlands Evaluation Center (MEC), which began in 2022, are now complete. Next week the much-needed upgrades to the original JDC building will begin. To better serve detention youth, SCDJJ will operate the two secure buildings on Shivers Road as one facility: the Juvenile Detention Complex, which will be composed of JDC Main and JDC Annex (formerly MEC). This consolidation gives detained youth access to more space for medical care, education, programming, recreation, and clinical services—within secure, upgraded living areas. We plan to further enhance security by connecting the Main and Annex buildings to allow for safer movement between buildings. We also plan to construct a new gatehouse and sally port.

With the creation of the Juvenile Detention Complex, evaluation and committed youth will now be housed at SCDJJ’s other three secure facilities. As part of our broader efforts, SCDJJ is updating facility names to reflect their new functions while ensuring compliance with state law:

• The Upstate Evaluation Center will now be called the Upstate Evaluation and Development Center, serving male youth from the Upstate, Low-County and Pee-Dee regions for secure evaluations and males with short-term commitments (180 days or less).
• The Coastal Evaluation Center is now the Coastal Evaluation and Development Center, continuing to serve female youth statewide for both evaluation and commitment.
• The Broad River Road Complex will now be known as the Midlands Evaluation and Development Center, housing male youth with long-term commitments (longer than 180 days) as well as those undergoing secure evaluations from the Midlands, Low-Country, and Pee-Dee regions.

Since 2022, SCDJJ has been reconfiguring the Midlands Evaluation and Development Center campus (former BRRC) to enhance both safety and functionality. Key completed projects include full renovation of four dormitories, additional fencing, the expansion of the parking area, and the launch of an employee shuttle service. Currently, a new sally port and gatehouse are under construction and plans are being finalized to upgrade three older dorms, Birchwood High School, the Birchwood Gym, and outdoor athletic fields

In addition, the Midlands Evaluation and Development Center campus will be divided to better separate youth and administrative functions, along with the addition of enhanced safety features to protect highly sensitive IT equipment and infrastructure, and repurposing buildings to create centralized office space. This will eliminate the need for costly external leases and move SCDJJ staff out of aging, unrepairable buildings.

Looking ahead, SCDJJ is excited to announce that plans are underway to build a new infirmary at the Midlands Evaluation and Development Center campus to better serve the physical and mental health needs of youth in our care.

It’s important to note that our population and staffing levels remain fluid, and youth classification categories must be applied with flexibility. While the updated facility designations provide guidance on their functions, there will always be exceptions and operational adjustments based on individual needs, court orders, staffing availability, and the overall capacity of the system. Our commitment is to prioritize safety, rehabilitative care, and efficient operations in every placement decision.

SCDJJ is incredibly grateful to the South Carolina General Assembly and the Governor’s Office for their continued support in helping us modernize our facilities and improve the services we provide to justice-involved youth. We are proud to be taking meaningful steps toward safer, more rehabilitative, and more effective operations.

Thank you for your commitment to our youth and your work in helping us accomplish our mission of transforming young lives.