CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A recent upswing in the number of assaults at the Industrial Home for Youth facility in Salem has the West Virginia Division of Juvenile Services looking to make some changes in how its offenders are housed.

Right now, the Industrial Home for Youth has juvenile prisoners along with members of the adult population, ranging in age from 18-21. A spokesperson says the number of adult assaults on the youth, both physical and sexual, has gone up.

Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety Spokesperson Joe Thornton says increased violence has prompted leaders to look at some changes.

They are considering a move that would put all 18-21 year old offenders at the Donald R. Kuhn Center in Boone County, just off of Corridor G.

Right now, that facility is a diagnostic center treating offenders.

Thornton says treatment at the state's facilities is not going to be effective if inmates are fearing for their safety.

Thornton said when they looked at their options, separating the adults from the juveniles was the best option, and DRK was the best place to move the adults. The juveniles currently housed there will go to the facility that best suits them somewhere else in the state.

Thornton says they'd like to have the changes made by June 1st, though that could change.

It's not clear just how much it's going to cost to upgrade the security at the DRK facility, but Thornton says in the end, safety of inmates outweighs the cost. He also says the folks who work at DRK are trained in all levels of security, so the fact that a more violent population is coming to Boone County doesn't mean changes when it comes to personnel.

Women will also be moved to an all-female facility as a result of these proposed changes.

In the last week, several adult inmates at the Industrial Youth Center have had charges filed against them. Three incidents involved 18 year-olds. Two of those young men got in fights with juvenile inmates. The other fight involved an alleged case of battery on a staff member.

In addition to those charges, West Virginia State Police also filed charges against a 19-year-old male inmate for having sex with a 14-year-old female inmate. Despite the fact that the sex was consensual, the 19-year-old has been charged with sexual assault.