Budget pressures are leading to state to make plans to suspend operations at its smallest juvenile corrections facility for male offenders.

The Juvenile Justice Authority announced Monday that it will end
operations at the Atchison facility on Dec. 8. However, the agency said it is considering hiring a private contractor to open a residential home for young offenders there.

The Atchison facility had 29 residents as of Friday and was designed to hold 132. Its residents will be moved to the state's juvenile facility in Topeka, which has space for an additional 215 residents. The Juvenile Justice Authority estimates the decision will save the state almost $2 million during the current fiscal year and $3.7 million during the next fiscal year.