reimagined juvenile detention system
stalled LA County detention system.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Four years ago, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors threw their support behind a comprehensive reform package that aimed to shut down the county’s juvenile halls by 2025. The proposal involved transitioning youth into smaller, more homelike “safe and secure healing centers” as part of a new Department of Youth Development. This agency, established in 2022, was designed to focus on prevention programs to keep children and teenagers out of the juvenile justice system, while also moving those already detained from jail-like facilities to a more rehabilitative and care-focused model.
The innovative policy, known as “Youth Justice Reimagined,” was the result of over a year of collaboration among various stakeholders, including advocates, law enforcement, defense attorneys, and prosecutors. The most significant change would have seen juvenile detention removed from the Probation Department’s control due to its track record of failed reforms, placing it under the oversight of the Department of Youth Development.
However, unforeseen legal constraints have thrown a wrench into the plans, stalling the full implementation of the reform. While some elements of the policy are progressing, they are significantly behind schedule. The first safe and secure healing center, intended to replace most juvenile halls and camps by 2025, will only launch as a pilot program next year with a capacity for about six juveniles. The Department of Youth Development, one of the county’s smallest departments, is not expected to see much growth in the upcoming year. The proposed budget for fiscal year 2024-25 allocates $75 million and 54 positions for the department, which falls short of the requested $5 million and 58 positions.
In contrast, the Probation Department is set to receive $439 million to manage its troubled juvenile halls next year, with plans for a two-year strategy for these facilities. This disparity has led reform advocates to question whether the county is straying from its commitment to the promised transition.
Aditi Sherikar, a senior policy advocate for the Children’s Defense Fund California, expressed concern about the county’s shift in priorities. She believes that the focus should be on phasing out the Probation Department, not strengthening it. Despite the challenges, Supervisor Kathryn Barger remains optimistic about the reform’s ultimate goal. She emphasised the importance of transforming the culture within probation to focus on therapy and rehabilitation, rather than a solely carceral approach.
Chief Probation Officer Guillermo Viera Rosa, who took over the department in 2023, inherited a legacy of scandal, mismanagement, and understaffing. Despite ongoing challenges, the department narrowly avoided the closure of its two largest facilities in April. Viera Rosa sees this as a turning point for the department to shift towards improving the quality of its facilities.
While the vision of Youth Justice Reimagined remains the goal, challenges persist due to existing legal frameworks. State law designates the responsibility for juvenile offenders to the Probation Department, hindering a full transition to the Department of Youth Development. Efforts to change this law have been met with reluctance in Sacramento.
Supervisors Lindsay Horvath and Janice Hahn acknowledge the current legal limitations but remain committed to expanding the role of the Department of Youth Development in supporting justice-involved youth. They believe that working within the existing system is essential to bring about change.
Critics argue that the need for legislation is an excuse, as the supervisors have the power to increase the Department of Youth Development’s budget to meet the requirements of Youth Justice Reimagined. The lack of action on this front has left advocates sceptical about the progress of the reform.
Despite the challenges, the Department of Youth Development has made strides in implementing aspects of Youth Justice Reimagined. Initiatives such as the credible messenger program and the expansion of the diversion program have shown promising results in reducing recidivism rates among youth.
The department’s first safe and secure healing center, focused on girls and gender expansive youth, aims to provide a range of holistic services tailored to individual needs. However, limitations in current law may restrict the center’s reach, as placement is subject to judicial discretion.
While the future of Youth Justice Reimagined remains uncertain, there is hope that with continued support and funding, the Department of Youth Development can realise the vision of a more rehabilitative and care-focused approach to juvenile justice in Los Angeles County..
1. reimagined detention system juveniles stalled LA County
2. detention system juveniles stalled LA County.
