GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. —

The youth detention facility in Greenville is back in full operation after years of challenges, shortages and closures.

Greenville County Youth Services, formerly named the Juvenile Detention Facility, allowed WYFF4 in on an exclusive tour, the first media inside since its reopening in June. The reopening comes after an agreement where the state will pay the county more than $657,000 per year under a five-year lease.

The facility was closed in March of 2022 after experiencing staffing shortages. The CEO of third-party RaeKar Residential, Jason Crews, said the number of youths entering the juvenile justice system rose during the COVID-19 pandemic to overwhelm those available to maintain it.

"The ability to house kids in the different portions of South Carolin

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