The Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center has been named the 2025 Barbara Allen-Hagen Award winner in the Detention Facility category by the Center for Improving Youth Justice (CIYJ). This prestigious national award recognizes juvenile facilities that demonstrate exceptional commitment to continuous improvement through the Performance-based Standards (PbS) framework. 

Each year, the Barbara Allen-Hagen Award honors one detention facility and one correction facility that go above and beyond in making positive changes to improve outcomes for youth, staff, families, and communities. This year, Maricopa County Detention Center stood out for its innovative efforts to strengthen safety and support within its facility. They improved recruitment and onboarding, revitalized the facility’s Safety Committee, and emphasized positive staff-youth relationships—fostering an environment where both youth and staff feel more connected, safe, and supported. 

The recognition reflects the leadership and hard work of many individuals, including: 

  • Eric Meaux, Chief Probation Officer 
  • Michaella Heslin, Deputy Chief 
  • Aundrea Newman, Division Director 
  • Brian Long, Detention Operations Manager 
  • And team members: Ethan Erickson, Mia Rivera, Sarah Embury, Jaime Sandoval, Mark Eastin, Tyler Bowen, Chantay Banikarim, and Yvette Hawthorne. 

Their shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and care has transformed the facility into a model of best practices in juvenile detention. 

This award not only celebrates the achievements of one facility—it also highlights the power of collaboration and the ongoing pursuit of a more just and supportive system for youth. 

Congratulations to the entire team at the Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center on this well-deserved recognition! 

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