Youth detention centers in Texas continue to grapple with serious issues, including sexual abuse, excessive use of pepper spray, and other mistreatment, such as prolonged isolation of juveniles in their cells. A recent report from the Justice Department accuses the state of violating the constitutional rights of hundreds of youths in custody.
The report follows a federal investigation initiated three years ago into allegations of widespread abuse and harsh conditions within the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, which annually handles hundreds of young people.
According to U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristin Clarke, staff at these facilities have engaged in sexual acts with minors, subjected some to isolation for 17 to 22 hours at a time, and used pepper spray on children. She highlighted that about 80% of the youth in these facilities are Black or Hispanic.
“This is a racial justice issue,” Clarke said. “Our children deserve protection from harm and access to essential services.”
Spokespeople for Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The governor’s office has stated it will cooperate with the federal investigation.
The report also criticizes the facilities for neglecting mental health issues such as suicidal thoughts and self-harm while punishing children for their behavior. This neglect of mental health care is said to violate the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
The Justice Department expressed a willingness to work with the state to address these violations and hinted at the possibility of a federal lawsuit.
The investigation into Texas’ juvenile facilities began in 2021 following a complaint from advocates. Texas is not alone in facing federal scrutiny or lawsuits regarding harsh conditions in youth detention centers. Similar investigations and lawsuits are ongoing in Kentucky, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey.
**Response from the Texas Juvenile Justice Department**
In response to the DOJ report, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) issued a statement:
“At TJJD, we are committed to improving our operations and services for the youth in our care and the communities we serve. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for abuse and neglect and have always condemned abusive behaviors on our campuses. With recent investments from the 88th Texas Legislature and support from the Governor’s Office, we have made significant strides in enhancing staffing, mental health care, and educational programs. We cooperated fully with DOJ investigators during their 2022 site visits amidst unprecedented staffing shortages and provided comprehensive material. We appreciate the DOJ’s professionalism throughout this process.”
Recent improvements made by TJJD include:
– Salary increases for direct care staff, with a 15% raise in 2022 and an additional 5% in 2023, leading to a 30% increase in Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) staffing.
– Hiring more mental health professionals and establishing enhanced stabilization units for intensive care of youth with high mental health needs.
– Improved training for JCOs, case managers, and all campus staff.
– Implementation of a holistic rehabilitative program using Dialectical Behavior Therapy, which has reduced disruptions and self-harm incidents.
– Strengthened support systems in TJJD schools for youths facing behavioral or academic challenges.
