Downey Juvenile Detention Center, long criticized for alleged violence and operational issues, will remain open despite state orders to close it.
Los Padrinos Juvenile Detention Center will continue to house nearly 250 detainees, although the move comes after housing conditions were found to be inappropriate for minors.
The juvenile detention center has been inspected numerous times over the past year, most recently failing inspection in October.
Juvenile detention centers were also found to be inadequately staffed, particularly due to staff shortages.
Two other detention centers have already been closed, and detainees have been transferred to Los Padrinos Divenile Hall, the only remaining facility in all of Los Angeles County.
Los Padrinos was opened last year after two juvenile detention centers in the county were forced to close by the state, saying they were also unfit for children.
Children’s advocacy groups, including the Children’s Defense Fund, say it is against the law to keep juvenile detention centers open.
“The county and the Probation Office will be breaking the law,” said Milinda Kakani of the Probation Board. “The group will sue the county, the Probation Office, and the judge for continuing to use this facility illegally.” I believe.”
Several groups sent a letter to the Probation Department, county supervisors and juvenile courts saying they are “prepared to seek resolution of this matter through litigation if necessary.”
County Probation Director Guillermo Vieira Rosa announced last week that he would retire at the end of this year, but now he tells NBC4 he’s staying on to see this through.
County supervisory authorities say there are staffing problems, including probation officers not coming to work.
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