State allows LA County’s troubled juvenile halls to remain open

The Los Angeles County's juvenile halls, specifically the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey and the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, have faced significant criticism regarding their conditions and the treatment of the youths housed there. Despite these concerns, the California State regulatory board, known as the Office of Youth and Community Restoration (OYCR), has recently declared both facilities "suitable" for continuing to house youths.

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall is the largest juvenile detention center in Los Angeles County, with a capacity of over 500 beds. The facility has been under scrutiny for several years due to numerous allegations of mistreatment of detainees, including physical and verbal abuse by staff members, inadequate mental health services, and overcrowding. In 2019, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the county alleging that the conditions at Los Padrinos violated the constitutional rights of the detained youths.

Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, with a capacity of 160 beds, has also faced criticism for its conditions and treatment of detainees. In 2018, a report by the Office of the Inspector General found that staff at the facility used excessive force against detainees and failed to provide adequate mental health services. The report also noted that the facility was overcrowded, with some detainees sleeping on the floor due to a lack of beds.

Despite these concerns, the OYCR has determined that both facilities meet the minimum standards for juvenile detention set by the state. However, critics argue that these standards are not high enough and that the conditions at the facilities still fall short of what is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of the detained youths.

Advocacy groups such as the ACLU and the Youth Justice Coalition have called for the closure of both facilities and for the county to invest in community-based programs instead of relying on detention centers. They argue that detention should be used as a last resort and that the majority of youths in the system can be better served through alternative means such as diversion programs, mental health services, and community-based care.

In response to the OYCR's decision, the Youth Justice Coalition issued a statement expressing their disappointment and reiterating their call for the closure of the facilities. "It is unacceptable that the state continues to allow the county to house youth in these inhumane and dangerous conditions," the statement read. "We will continue to fight for the closure of Los Padrinos and Nidorf and for a system that prioritizes the well-being of young people over punishment and incarceration."

In conclusion, despite the concerns raised by advocacy groups and the allegations of mistreatment and inadequate conditions at Los Padrinos and Barry J. Nidorf juvenile halls, the California State regulatory board has deemed both facilities suitable for continuing to house youths. Critics argue that these standards are not high enough and call for the closure of the facilities and investment in community-based programs instead. The debate continues as advocacy groups push for reform in the juvenile justice system.