Pittsburgh spends millions on juvenile detention – research points to cheaper, more effective alternatives
- Written by Jeffrey Shook, Professor of Social Work, University of Pittsburgh
More than a third of people in state prisons have served time in a juvenile facility, according to The Sentencing Project.SAKDAWUT14/iStock via Getty Images PlusData released in January 2026 to Allegheny County officials offers a clear look at who is being held at Highland Detention Center – and how much it costs taxpayers. The numbers show...





