Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a joint motion with Los Angeles County to amend a court judgment concerning conditions in the county's juvenile halls. This action follows reports from an independent monitor indicating deteriorating conditions at Barry J. Nidorf Secure Youth Treatment Facility and Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. The amended judgment aims to address illegal and unsafe conditions, requiring additional policy changes, staffing, and training, along with strengthened monitoring and reporting requirements.

"The County of Los Angeles is responsible for safeguarding the safety and well-being of the children at its juvenile halls – and it has utterly failed in this responsibility to date," stated Attorney General Bonta. He emphasized that the new terms are intended to enhance oversight and accountability, aiming for necessary improvements in these facilities.

Last year, Bonta secured a motion to enforce provisions of an earlier judgment. Despite initial progress, ongoing concerns include inadequate staffing, drug flow control issues, youth-on-youth assault prevention failures, medical appointment delays, retaliation against grievance-filing youth, and insufficient camera coverage.

The amended judgment filed in Los Angeles Superior Court introduces several measures:

- Strengthening Monitoring: Semi-annual comprehensive monitoring reports will be publicly filed with the court. Monthly reports on critical health and safety issues are also required.

- Ensuring Youth Safety: Timely review of force use incidents will be mandated alongside addressing gaps in camera coverage.

- Guaranteeing Access to Services: An electronic data system will ensure access to recreation, religious services, visitation, and timely medical appointments.

- Addressing Staffing Crisis: A revised plan will address minimum staffing levels based on facility population.

- Preventing Retaliation: An anti-retaliation policy will be established with trained ombudspersons at each hall.

- Revising Policies: Inadequate policies on violence reduction and child abuse reporting will be revised.

Attorney General Bonta remains committed to protecting youth rights across California. His efforts include fostering safe school environments and defending LGBTQ youth rights. He encourages reporting suspected violations involving children through the California Department of Justice's online complaint form.

A copy of the proposed order to amend the stipulated judgment is available for public viewing.