Mobile County Considering Taking Over Strickland Youth Services
By Dale Hines
Blue RAM Media/Gulf Coast News
July 19, 2025
MOBILE, Ala. The Strickland Youth Center (SYC), which houses the Mobile County Juvenile Court and Detention Center, is currently under the operational umbrella of the 13th Judicial Circuit and the Juvenile Court Judge, Edmond Naman. However, Mobile County is considering taking over the operation of the facility.
This potential takeover would align the SYC with the majority of other juvenile detention facilities in the state, which are already administered by their respective County governments.
In some states, juvenile justices’ services in the county also fall under the sheriff’s office jurisdiction.
The legislation enabling this transfer was introduced by Rep. Margie Wilcox and requires a written request from the presiding Juvenile Court Judge.
Under legislation passed by the Alabama Legislature last session, the Mobile County Commission is considering assuming control and responsibility for the operation of Strickland Youth Center.
The item was on the County agenda for the first read today but was tabled for one week to “work out some details”, according to a county spokesperson.
When asked about the legislation in April, the county said that this would bring Mobile County in line with the majority, if not all, the other juvenile detention facilities in the state which are already administered by their respective County government.
Currently the James T. Strickland Youth Center is under the operational umbrella of the 13th Judicial Circuit and Judge Edmond Naman, the Presiding Juvenile Court Judge.
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