Facility Staff
Former Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Vinny Schiraldi, wrote this op-ed, discussing President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in Washington D.C. and the District’s intentions to repeal lower the age for trying children as adults to 12 in the Youth Rehabilitation Act. The op-ed details Vinny’s reflections and observations during his…
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals found that a liberty interest may exist for short periods of solitary confinement in deplorable conditions and offered the following language in support. “Jackson presented evidence showing that he was subjected to three months in appalling conditions of solitary confinement at Pontiac. Taking that evidence as true, Jackson had…
Professor Kris Henning and Rebba Omer authored a law review article on decriminalizing normal adolescent behaviors, race, and disabilities. This article maps a way forward for all system actors in the juvenile legal system to mitigate and buffer against the harms of juvenile legal system involvement for youth with disabilities. Specifically, this article outlines youth…
Semi-annual report from January-June 2023 from the Colorado Division of Youth Services on reported number of physical and sexual assaults, number of facility staff, and other conditions of confinement data in its state-run residential facilities for detained and committed young people.
On April 14, 2022, the DOJ filed a complaint against the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice for depriving youth confined in the Broad River Road Complex facility of their constitutional rights. The complaint highlights Fourteenth Amendment violations, namely that the Department of Juvenile Justice “(i) failed to reasonably protect children from youth-on-youth violence; and…
On April 14, 2022, the DOJ released its investigation findings of South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice’s Broad River Road Complex. The investigation finds “, that there is reasonable cause to believe, based on the totality of the conditions, practices, and incidents, that: (1) the conditions at the Broad River Road Complex (BRRC), South Carolina’s…
On April 14, 2022, the DOJ entered into a settlement agreement with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice to remedy conditions that violated young people’s constitutional rights at the Broad River Road Complex facility. The settlement agreement includes provisions that the Department “shall, at all times, provide youth at BRRC with safe living conditions,”…
From the introduction: “This paper shares the story behind the successful launch of a specialized correctional unit for emerging adults by three of the people closest and most integral to the experience. It is offered as a guide for jurisdictions that are interested in developing similar programs. It is important to note that this report…
[South Carolina] Department of Juvenile Justice’s Broad River Road Complex: Notice and Investigation
On February 5, 2020, the DOJ sent notice to the Governor of South Carolina regarding the alleged conditions they have reasonable cause to believe violate the U.S. Constitution at the Broad River Road Complex juvenile facility. The notice states, in part, “After carefully reviewing the evidence, we conclude that there is reasonable cause to believe…
On November 15, 2018, a joint settlement was reached to address the conditions of confinement in Florida’s Palm Beach County Jail. The settlement agreement outlines comprehensive changes in the facility, including giving young people time and access to appropriate recreational activities outside of their cells during school hours. The settlement also limits the amount of…
On October 1, 2018, the DOJ filed a Statement of Interest in a federal class action lawsuit on behalf of young people confined in Florida’s Palm Beach County Jail. The DOJ highlights the protections afforded to students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and the “independent and shared” responsibilities and obligations…
On June 21, 2018, a federal class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of young people confined in the Palm Beach County Jail, alleging violations of their 8th and 14th Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution. The plaintiffs are youth whose cases have been direct-filed in adult court in Palm Beach County, Florida. The complaint…
On October 17, 2017, the DOJ closed its investigation of the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility, citing improvements made to the facility. The letter states, “Most broadly, the State has made system-wide efforts to minimize incarceration of youth; to move toward a rehabilitative juvenile justice model; to increase youth’s access to community-based alternatives to incarceration; and…
