Jimmy Ryce Facility Location: LaBelle, Florida (Not Arcadia)

The Jimmy Ryce Correctional Institution (formerly Southwest Florida Regional Juvenile Detention Center) was located in LaBelle, Hendry County, Florida — not Arcadia (which is in DeSoto County, ~30 mi west).

Details

• Named for: Jimmy Ryce (9), kidnapped, raped, murdered in Redland (Miami-Dade) 1995.
• Opened: 1997 (juvenile sex offender facility).
• Renamed: 1998.
• Closed: 2011 (state budget cuts).
• Site: Now largely vacant; Hendry County has explored reuse.

Why the Confusion?

Arcadia is the seat of DeSoto County; LaBelle is the seat of Hendry County. Both are rural inland South Florida towns. The facility served a multi-county region.