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

The Los Angeles County's troubled juvenile halls, specifically the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey and the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, have been under scrutiny due to various issues and concerns raised by critics regarding their suitability to continue housing youths. However, the California State regulatory board, known as the California Youth and Community Resources (CYCR), has recently declared both facilities "suitable" for continuing operations.

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, which is the largest juvenile detention center in the county, has faced numerous criticisms over the years. In 2019, the facility was placed on probation by the CYCR due to several deficiencies, including inadequate mental health services, lack of proper supervision, and failure to implement safety protocols. The probation period was set to end in March 2022, but the CYCR extended it due to ongoing concerns.

Despite these issues, the CYCR determined that the facility had made sufficient progress in addressing the deficiencies and was suitable for continuing operations. However, critics argue that the facility still falls short in providing adequate care for the youths detained there. They point to incidents of violence, overcrowding, and inadequate mental health services as evidence that the facility is not suitable for housing youths.

Similarly, the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall has faced its own set of challenges. In 2020, the facility was placed on probation due to deficiencies related to mental health services, use of force, and documentation of incidents. The CYCR found that the facility had made progress in addressing these issues and deemed it suitable for continuing operations in March 2022.

However, critics argue that the facility still needs significant improvements in areas such as mental health services, staffing levels, and de-escalation techniques to ensure the safety and well-being of the detained youths. They also point to incidents of violence and use of force as evidence that the facility is not suitable for continuing to house youths.

In conclusion, while the California State regulatory board has deemed the Los Padrinos and Barry J. Nidorf juvenile facilities suitable for continuing operations, critics continue to raise concerns regarding their ability to provide adequate care for the detained youths. The issues include inadequate mental health services, lack of proper supervision, overcrowding, violence, and use of force. The ongoing debate highlights the need for continued oversight and investment in these facilities to ensure the safety and well-being of the youths housed there.