The Justice Department has found five Texas juvenile detention centers guilty of violating children’s constitutional and civil rights, including physical and sexual abuse, deprivation of basic needs, and disability-based discrimination. These violations have been ongoing for decades and were brought to light through investigations by the Justice Department, Texas Rangers, and advocacy groups. The abuse and neglect have led to arrests of several employees, convictions for violent crimes, and long-lasting effects on vulnerable children. The educational resources for children with disabilities are inadequate, with many reading below grade levels and lacking mental health services.
Similar allegations of abuse have been reported in juvenile detention centers across the United States, including in Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, and Michigan. These facilities have been accused of oppressive lockdowns, deadly violence, chronic understaffing, and sexual abuse by staff members. The racial disparities in juvenile prisons have also been noted, with Black children being four times as likely to be detained as their white peers.
The Justice Department’s report indicated that Texas Juvenile Justice Department officials ignored ongoing abuse and disregarded investigations by state and federal authorities. The department has a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse and neglect and has pledged to improve staffing, mental health care, and educational programs. Advocacy groups hope that the findings of the investigations will lead to systemic changes in the treatment of youth in these facilities.
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