June 27, 2011
DJJ problems in San Diego Tribune
In 2000, the state’s Office of the Inspector General issued a report strongly critical of how state corrections officials treated youthful offenders. Of specific concern was the practice of locking up about one-sixth of all youthful offenders for 23 hours a day with little or no documented explanation of the special detention. The report concluded that this not only probably violated due process rights but was likely to make youthful inmates even more troubled and inclined to commit new crimes upon release.
Now a new audit by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation concludes that 11 years later these practices are still common at state youth prisons. Yes, it is good to hear the department’s own audit owned up to this problem. And, yes, the explanation for the problem – the prison system doesn’t have the staffing or money to offer better conditions for youthful offenders – is quite plausible...
LINK - SignonSanDiego.com
