But Cain said Dane County is in a good position to modify its detention center to hold youth serving commitments: Its facility is up to date with ample natural light, large open spaces and welcoming touches like carpeting and colorful murals on the walls — elements that he said make it more suitable for children.

Structurally, the current jail also has room to expand. One block of bedrooms has never been used by the county and can be put to use for committed juvenile offenders. With some construction work, bedrooms can be added by remodeling adjacent space that is currently a laundry room, for a total of 14 boys’ rooms. Some offices in the back of the building can be used to make a residential block for six girls.

The biggest challenge, Cain said, could be creating an outdoor area for inmates to use. The City-County Building has a flat roof over a portion of the first floor that could accommodate a small recreation yard, about 20 feet by 100 feet, he said. The site would need to be screened to protect the inmates’ privacy since there are dozens of offices in the building and across the street that overlook the space, he said.