The state
public defender's office
learned of an incident
where a 15-year-old housed
in the Jonathan Delagrave
Youth Development
and Care Center
was punched repeatedly by
adult security workers.
Is this kind of incident
a rarity do you think
behind the doors
of these facilities?
I mean, research
across the country
would suggest
that it isn't
that the
punitive nature of these
correctional facilities
and how they
the power dynamic
in these vulnerable youth
that abuse
is a major issue
in these facilities.
I do think
that the culture obviously
isn't what we need it to be.
It's not seen as a
treatment facility.
It's a jail, essentially
for kids.
With that attitude
I think
the staff thinks of it
that way
and they're not
necessarily trained
in a treatment mindset.
They're not trained to kind of
deescalate situations.
They're not trained
to recognize in themselves
when they're becoming
dysregulated and struggling.
It obviously seems
to be the case
in this situation.