A large number of California’s active and closed juvenile camps are fielding accusations of sexual and physical abuse of the minors in their facilities.

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, 11 or more California juvenile probation officers have been convicted of crimes for inappropriate conduct involving current or former child probationers–this includes several cases of molesting or beating youths in their care.

California  Juvenile Halls Affected

Los Angeles County Juvenile Hall Facilities

Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall (BJNJH)

Members of the California board that oversees conditions inside adult and juvenile detention facilities statewide voted to sanction the county after inspections revealed persistent problems at the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar. A memo released on the oversight agency’s website stated that L.A. County was out of compliance with basic safety standards—as recently as two days prior. Staff were found to be improperly deploying physical restraints. 

Central Juvenile Hall (aka Eastlake Juvenile Hall, “Central”)

After inspections earlier this year revealed persistent problems at the Central Juvenile Hall in Boyle Heights.the California board that oversees conditions inside adult and juvenile detention facilities statewide voted to sanction the county. Problems included failing to ensure that young people receive adequate health care, failing to monitor psychotropic medications and failing to follow rules about how long to confine teenagers alone in their rooms.

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall has. plagued by security issues, low morale among staff, and falling population levels. Opened in 1957, Los Padrinos houses hundreds of boys and girls at any given time with most of the juvenile defendants awaiting court action or transfer to another facility. Los Padrinos has been extensively criticized in the past, including for high incidents of depression among the population and youth suicides. More recently, six detention officers were for assaulting teenage girls with pepper spray. 

San Diego Juvenile Hall Facilities

Juvenile Ranch Facility (JRF)

With two primary drug facilities including Rancho del Campo and Rancho del Rayo, the Juvenile Ranch Facility (JRF) features dorms that resemble army barracks in a forest-type setting.

Girl's Rehabilitation Facility (GRF)

Located next to Juvenile Hall and Juvenile Court, the Girls Rehabilitation Facility (GRF) provides services for girls ages 13-18 targeting medium to high-risk girls with clear delinquent offenses.

Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (KMJDF)

Located in San Diego’s Birdland suburbs, Kearny Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (KMJDF) has housed youths since 1954 and features a maximum capacity of 359.

East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (EMJDF)

Located north of Brown Field in Otay Mesa, the East Mesa Juvenile Detention Facility (EMJDF) opened for operation in June 2004 and features a maximum capacity of 290.

Urban Camp (UC)

Located in San Diego’s Birdland suburbs, the Urban Camp (UC) residents fulfill a commitment of between 85 and 120 days within four distinct programs to learn the training and skills necessary for successful rehabilitation.

According to the court documents filed, supervisors at these active and closed juvenile camps ignored unchecked assault, rape, and sexual harassment of child inmates by probation officers.

"Vulnerable children often enter the system because of abuse they have suffered at home or on the streets," said one prosecuting attorney. "The probation system should offer these youthful offenders restorative justice instead of perpetuating their cycle of abuse. The criminal conduct of those who used their positions of authority to sexually assault these children must be exposed. These despicable people and those who enabled them must be held accountable."

Over 20 years of news stories and county reports describe:

• Probation officers encouraging fights among juveniles;
• Sexual contact between officers and minor inmates;
• Officers accused of criminal acts such as theft; and,
• A variety of other offenses committed while on duty. 

There have been accusations of sexual assault have been reported by victims against their supposed mentors, as well as criminal charges in connection with guards’ improper use of pepper spray.

Victims and their families are urged to come forward for a free, private case evaluation from a qualified attorney as soon as possible, as victims only have until December 31, 2022, to file a valid claim!