The state issued a loud warning last week when it downgraded the license for Shuman Juvenile Detention Center, but Allegheny County's reaction so far suggests it has been heard and heeded.

Inspectors from the state Department of Public Welfare visited the Lincoln-Lemington facility in June and notified Shuman last month that it was getting a six-month provisional license because of a host of violations, some more serious than others.

The biggest problem, which is not a new one, is too many offenders and too few staff members to handle them. Failing to provide adequate staffing endangers the residents and the employees at Shuman. It has room for 130 juveniles between the ages of 10 and 18, but during the inspection on June 3, there were 149 youths there. One day this year, there were 164.

Center director William T. "Jack" Simmons said he believed most understaffing occurred in the middle of shifts and officials thought they could remain in compliance by correcting the problem by the end of a shift. That was not sufficient, but he says Shuman now is using floaters, mandatory overtime or supervisors to fill the gaps, and six new workers are being hired.

In addition, the county had previously announced a plan to address crowding by contracting with the Auberle Home for Boys in McKeesport to provide alternate housing for as many as 24 youths.

We hope those measures will keep Shuman operating without extensive mandatory overtime, which can stretch staff members beyond their ability to do their jobs well.

The county says it also has addressed other violations, including poor medical record keeping and maintenance. The vacant position of health services manager has been filled, missing and damaged ceiling tiles have been replaced, an "aggressive" cleaning schedule has been implemented and the center's leaky roof will be replaced this fall.

Mr. Simmons and county Chief Executive Dan Onorato say all of the violations cited by the state have been addressed, and a state inspector returned Friday.

From the outside looking in, it seems the county has quickly addressed the problems cited by the state, and we certainly hope that's true. Mr. Simmons has promised that, as long as he is running the place, Shuman won't find itself in this predicament again.

Now Shuman must make sure the improvements are permanent, something the state can ensure with its oversight.