G. Ross Bell Youth Detention Center

The G. Ross Bell Jefferson County Youth Detention Center is a correctional facility operated by Jefferson County at 140 2nd Court North in Smithfield. The 74,000 square-foot center houses up to 80 residents from 9 to 18 years old. The director is Monique Grier.

The center was named for former Birmingham Recorder's Court judge George Ross Bell.

The Juvenile Justice Task Force, formed in 2018, supports the center by forging partnerships with community resources such as the Jefferson County Family Court, the UAB Division of Adolescent Medicine, and the Jefferson-Blount-St Clair Mental Health Authority to benefit youth in the program.

In 2023 the County Commission approved a project to renovate and expand the detention center. DLR Group of Omaha, Nebraska associated with Goodwyn Mills Cawood on the architectural design. B. L. Harbert International was awarded the contract for construction.

References

• Crenshaw, Solomon Jr (April 19, 2018) "Monique Grier’s tough love as director of Jefferson County Youth Detention Center." The Birmingham Times
• Cunningham, Beth (October 23, 2019) "9 things you didn’t know about juvenile detention in Jefferson County—and why it’s important." Bham Now