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Los Padrinos Juvenile Detention Center in Downey is close to permanent closure in the coming weeks after housing conditions were found to be unsuitable for minors.
The juvenile detention center has been inspected numerous times over the past year, most recently failing inspection in October.
Sean Garcia-Reese, co-executive director of the nonprofit law firm Peace and Justice Law Center, said juvenile detention centers only cause more harm to boys.
“It’s a dangerous place to leave kids. It’s not conducive to public safety. Young people don’t come out of it any better than they came in,” Garcia-Reese said. said.
Furthermore, the juvenile detention center was found to be inadequately staffed due to a shortage of staff.
“Not having enough staff has led to an increase in violence in juvenile detention facilities,” Garcia-Reese said. The increase in violence has led to more staff being absent from work due to injuries, and more staff not wanting to come to work, which has led to an increase in violence. ”
Despite the inappropriate conditions, the Los Angeles County Probation Department, which met with BSCC on Thursday, has not requested reexamination, according to BSCC.
If the juvenile detention center does not comply with the BSCC’s request, the juvenile detention center will no longer be used for juvenile confinement after Dec. 12, according to BSCC acting executive director Aaron Maguire.
However, it is still unclear what will become of the boys after the planned closure.
“At the point where the county is blatantly violating the law, it’s up to the court,” Garcia-Reese said. “The young people who are confined there will be referred to juvenile court.”
The department said it is working to meet state standards.
“The department has made several improvements to the facility,” the Los Angeles County Probation Department said in a statement to NBCLA. “We are currently evaluating options, including working again with BSCC to ensure that young people and families are not negatively impacted ahead of the holidays.”
Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall opened after two other county facilities were deemed unfit to house juveniles by the BSCC last year.
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