Recognizing a crisis, Los Angeles County supervisors on Tuesday declared an emergency proclamation for the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey, paving the way to address the staffing crisis.
“It is clear that decisive action must be taken, and now.” Supervisor Kathryn Barger said.
The facility had been ordered, closed on December 12 by the California Board of State and Community Corrections.
“We found that current staffing levels do not enable all required activities, operations, programs and facility functions and ensure the safety of youth and staff,” a BSCC field representative wrote.
Los Padrinos continues to operate following the closure order as there is no viable alternative location to hold the youth. “The county has no other place to house these youth – especially considering that BSCC itself, among other things, has not approved any other county facilities to do so,” the supervisors’ motion said.
Barger explained that the problems at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall are not due to the physical nature of the building, but rather the lack of staff to keep the 242 youth housed there stable and safe. She said closing the facility and sending the incarcerated youth into the community is not an option.
“A very high percentage of youth in LPJH have a history of serious, violent crimes – such as murder, attempted murder, assault, kidnapping, robbery and carjacking,” and some are currently facing similar charges, while others have “serious mental health issues “, the motion said.
The juvenile detention center has been plagued by operational problems since it reopened last year to house inmates moved from Central Juvenile Hall in Boyle Heights and Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar, both of which were ordered closed by the state, and both had also personnel problems. .
The motion directs the Department of Human Resources and other relevant departments to expedite recruitment and hiring to fill vacancies at the facility, to offer bonuses or incentives up to $24,000 for lateral transfers, and to consider offering a to hire qualified peace officers in the state, including reserve personnel. officers and 120 day retirees, to ensure full staffing.
“Declaring a local emergency to address this critical crisis will provide the county with additional tools to accelerate and expand its response in collaboration with our state partners and others,” the motion said.
The county probation department is still appealing the BSCC closure order, though the state board won’t meet until Wednesday.
“While we fully agree with the safety and security standards, we disagree with its (the BSCC) application of the regulations and its overall findings, especially regarding staffing levels,” said Vicky Waters, communications director for the department , in a statement last week. “The department fully intends to keep Los Padrinos open and operational.”
