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

The Los Angeles County's juvenile halls, specifically the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey and the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, have faced significant criticism regarding their conditions and the treatment of the youths housed there. Despite these concerns, the California State Department of Social Services (CDSS) Regulatory Bureau recently declared both facilities "suitable" for continuing to house youths.

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, which can house up to 350 detained youths, has been the subject of numerous reports detailing inadequate conditions, including overcrowding, inadequate mental health services, and insufficient educational programs. 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, which can house up to 200 detained youths, has also faced criticism for its conditions and treatment of detained youths. In 2018, a report by the Office of the Inspector General found that the facility failed to provide adequate mental health services, resulting in some youths being held in isolation for extended periods of time.

Despite these concerns, the CDSS Regulatory Bureau conducted inspections of both facilities in March 2023 and found them suitable for continuing to house youths. The decision was met with criticism from advocacy groups and community members who argue that the conditions at the facilities do not meet the standards necessary for the well-being and rehabilitation of the detained youths.

Advocacy groups such as the ACLU and the Youth Justice Coalition have called for the closure of both facilities and the implementation of community-based alternatives to detention. They argue that these alternatives would be more effective in addressing the root causes of youth delinquency and providing the necessary support for at-risk youths.

It is important to note that the CDSS Regulatory Bureau's declaration of suitability does not preclude further action or oversight of the facilities. The county and the state will continue to monitor the conditions at Los Padrinos and Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Halls to ensure they meet the necessary standards for the care and well-being of the detained youths.

In conclusion, despite criticism from advocacy groups and community members regarding the conditions and treatment of detained youths at Los Padrinos and Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Halls in Los Angeles County, the California State Department of Social Services Regulatory Bureau has deemed both facilities suitable for continuing to house youths. However, the decision has been met with opposition, with advocacy groups calling for the closure of the facilities and the implementation of community-based alternatives to detention. The county and the state will continue to monitor the conditions at both facilities to ensure they meet the necessary standards for the care and well-being of the detained youths.