Over two years ago, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) began an investigation into the conditions of confinement at two juvenile halls. Based on the results of that investigation, a settlement has been reached that will improve the conditions and education services in Los Angeles County's juvenile halls. The groundbreaking settlements seek to protect youth in the juvenile justice system in the county.
Extensive Investigation into Confinement Conditions
The investigation into the conditions of confinement began in October 2018. DOJ launched the investigation to determine whether the conditions for youth at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall and Central Juvenile Hall complied with state and federal laws. The Attorney General’s Office interviewed over 80 witnesses, conducted a number of site visits, and reviewed thousands of pages of documentation.
Confirming the allegations, DOJ found
that the county did not provide sufficient services and, in fact, endangered
youth safety. The investigation focused on the policies and incidents of use-of
force, room and solitary confinement practices, access to grievance procedures,
staff training, as well as rehabilitative programming, recreation, education,
religious services, and mental and medical healthcare.
They found, among other issues, that
the juvenile halls relied on inappropriate, excessive physical and chemical use
of force. In an online news
conference, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said that the investigation
focused, in particular on the unnecessary use of pepper spray and on
unreasonable periods of cell confinement that kept youths from receiving adequate
educational services and medical care.
Groundbreaking Settlements
The settlements, announced
in January 2021, were reached between Attorney General Becerra, Los Angeles
County, and the Los Angeles County of Education. As a result of the DOJ
investigation, the settlements focus on improving the conditions and education
services in the county’s juvenile halls.
The Los Angeles County Office of
Education and the County of Los Angeles, including its Probation Department,
Department of Mental Health, and Department of Health Services have agreed on a
wide range of corrective actions, to be overseen by an independent monitor and
subject matter experts. These corrective actions are aimed at securing positive
outcomes for youth involved in the justice system and at ensuring systemic
improvements to the county’s juvenile halls.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of
Schools Debra Duardo, reflecting on the groundbreaking settlements, said, “We
at the Los Angeles County Office of Education are passionate about our work and
firm in our belief in the power of education to transform the lives of
at-promise students in our juvenile hall schools. For the past year, we
have cooperated closely with DOJ officials. The findings of their investigation
demand that we all do better for the young people in our care. We welcome the
opportunity to strengthen systems of collaboration and accountability so we can
more effectively deliver the high-quality services our youth deserve."
A Four-Year Plan for Corrective Action
The most significant outcomes of the
DOJ’s investigation and the resulting settlements are extensive four-year plans
to protect youth in the juvenile justice system. These plans include corrective
actions in a number of important areas, including:
- Limiting
the use of force and requiring de-escalation as well as outside oversight and
review of incidents.
- Enhancing
holistic efforts to support youth through trauma-informed and positive behavior
approaches.
- Improving
confinement safeguards and practices to ensure youth are not unlawfully confined
to their rooms.
- Providing
necessities of basic living needs, including bedding, hygiene items, and
appropriate access to the bathroom.
- Ensuring
that youths are housed in a homelike environment.
- Ensuring
that youth have timely and appropriate mental health and medical care.
- Providing
appropriate time for education and improving the process for youth who are
transitioning back to school in the community.
- Providing
a trustworthy and secure method for youth in the juvenile justice system to
have their problems properly addressed.
- Facilitating
the collection of data and the analysis necessary to demonstrate compliance
with the settlements, allowing for adequate ongoing internal review.
- Requiring
sufficient training for staff and appropriate staffing for the juvenile halls
to be able to comply with the settlements.
Regarding the investigation and the
resulting groundbreaking settlements, Attorney General Becerra said, “One of
our core duties as a society is to lay the foundation for our children to build
a better future. That has to be at the center of what we do as government
when youth are entrusted to our care.” Becerra added, “I applaud the county for
working with us to correct the wrongs uncovered by our investigation and
committing to help these youth get the resources they need.”
Orange County Juvenile Defense Attorney
Please contact the Law Offices of Katie Walsh if your
son or daughter is in legal trouble or faces school expulsion. Attorney
Walsh has the expertise to advocate for your loved one's well-being
successfully. For a free consultation, call Katie Walsh at (714) 351-0178.