Justice Department Investigates Conditions At TX Juvenile Centers

Austin TX

13 October, 2021

3:26 PM

Description

TEXAS — The U.S. Justice Department has opened a statewide investigation into the conditions of five secure juvenile correctional facilities run by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. The department plans to examine whether Texas provides children confined in the facilities reasonable protection from physical and sexual abuse by staff and other residents, excessive use of chemical restraints and excessive use of isolation following reported allegations. The investigation will also look into whether Texas provides adequate mental health care, the department said in a news release Wednesday. "Too often children held in juvenile detention facilities are subject to abuse and mistreatment, and deprived of their constitutional rights," said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. "State officials have a constitutional obligation to ensure reasonable safety for children in these institutions." Officials said the investigation will ensure that the treatment of these children "comports with constitutional standards." "The U.S. Attorney's Office of the Western District of Texas is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of all persons, including vulnerable young persons incarcerated in Texas Juvenile Justice Department secure facilities," said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff for the Western District of Texas. "We look forward to partnering with the Civil Rights Division and other U.S. Attorney's Offices in our state to conduct a fair and thorough investigation of these allegations." Acting U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery of the Southern District of Texas said the state has a duty to ensure young people incarcerated in Texas are held under safe and constitutional conditions. "Young people, even though they are confined in a juvenile facility, should not be abused, mistreated or deprived of essential services," Lowery said. Authorities said both statutes give the department the authority to investigate systemic violations of the rights of young people in juvenile correctional facilities. The department's work has led to important reforms to protect the rights of young people housed in those facilities. Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the department via phone at 1-866-432-0438 or by email at [email protected].