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 the conditions and treatment of the youths housed there. However, despite these criticisms, 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, which is the largest juvenile detention center in the county, has faced 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 has also faced similar issues, with reports of inadequate mental health services, overcrowding, and allegations of mistreatment of detainees. In 2018, the OYCR found that the facility was out of compliance with several state regulations, including those related to mental health services and use of force by staff members.

Despite these concerns, the OYCR has determined that both facilities meet the minimum standards for housing youths. However, critics argue that these minimum standards are not sufficient to ensure the safety and well-being of the detained youths. They call for more significant reforms, including increased funding for mental health services, better staff training, and a focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

It is important to note that the OYCR's decision does not mean that all issues at these facilities have been resolved. The ACLU lawsuit against Los Padrinos is still ongoing, and advocacy groups continue to push for reforms. The decision also does not address the root causes of why these issues exist in the first place, such as systemic issues related to funding, staffing, and priorities in the juvenile justice system.

In conclusion, while the California State regulatory board has deemed Los Padrinos and Barry J. Nidorf juvenile facilities "suitable" for continuing to house youths, critics argue that these facilities do not meet the standards necessary for the safety and well-being of the detained youths. The ongoing issues at these facilities highlight the need for significant reforms in the juvenile justice system, including increased funding for mental health services, better staff training, and a focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.