Juvenile Justice

Matsu Facility
Mat-Su Youth Facility

For additional information, please contact:

Mat-Su Youth Facility
581 Outer Springer Loop Rd
Palmer, AK 99645
Phone: 907 746-1630
Fax: 907 761-7249

Mat-Su Youth Facility

The Mat-Su Youth Facility opened its co-ed, 15-bed secure detention program in October, 2000.  It was the culmination of a community-wide planning process that began in the mid-1990s. The community’s participation in the facility’s work continues through its Citizens Advisory Board and strong partnerships with organizations such as the Mat-Su Borough School District, the Mat-Su Agency Partnership, and  the Community Justice Coalition, among others.

A variety of community service projects are ongoing within the facility which include stuffing envelopes for nonprofits, baking doggie treats for the local animal shelter, assembling Raise-A-Reader packets (reading promotion) given to newborn mothers at the local hospital, and crocheting hats and scarves for the local women shelter. A modest-sized greenhouse facilitates agrarian skills development and produces vegetables and flowers for donation to local senior centers throughout the summer months.  Victim impact classes are also taught on the unit.

A lack of indoor exercise space continues to challenge the creative minds of staff and teachers alike in their quest to provide large-muscle group exercise within MSYF during the winter months. 

The Mat-Su Youth Facility detention program operates within a Restorative Justice framework, emphasizing public safety, restoration of victims and communities, and youth competency development (including social skills, Criminal Thinking Errors and Substance Abuse prevention classes).  The facility also provides adequate supervision of institutionalized youth being released back into the community via the Transitional Services Unit component.