The Justice Department recently released a scathing report on youth lockups in Texas, revealing widespread mistreatment including sexual abuse, excessive use of pepper spray, and prolonged isolation of children in their cells. The report, which comes three years after the federal investigation was launched, accuses the state of violating the constitutional rights of hundreds of children in custody. The Texas Juvenile Justice Department has been implicated in engaging in sexual acts with children, keeping them isolated for long hours, and using pepper spray on their faces. Around 80% of the children in these facilities are Black or Hispanic, highlighting the racial justice aspect of the issue.
The state juvenile justice department has asserted a “zero-tolerance” policy towards abuse and neglect, claiming to have worked closely with federal investigators during their site visit in 2022. However, the federal report indicates that mental health concerns, such as suicidal ideation and self-harm, were routinely ignored while children were punished for their behavior. The inability of the facilities to address or treat these issues has been deemed a violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Justice Department has expressed the need for cooperation with the state to address these violations, hinting at the possibility of a federal lawsuit.
Advocates have raised concerns about the mistreatment of youth in Texas’ juvenile facilities, urging urgent action from the Texas legislature to address the issues. The CEO of Lone Star Justice Alliance, Elizabeth Henneke, emphasized that the care provided to youth in these facilities is insufficient, pointing to the failure to offer the necessary support for their success. The state’s juvenile facilities have been under scrutiny since an investigation was opened in 2021 following a complaint from advocates. Henneke highlights the structural challenges, such as understaffing and outdated facilities, that contribute to the mistreatment of youth in lockups across the state.
With approximately 900 youth detained in Texas’ juvenile facilities, advocates stress the need for judges and lawmakers to consider alternative rehabilitation efforts to address the problems faced by young people in these lockups. Mistreatment in the facilities can exacerbate trauma in youth, highlighting the importance of exploring creative solutions beyond the current punitive measures. The federal report underscores the urgency of improving conditions in youth lockups and providing adequate care and support for vulnerable children in custody. Collaboration between state and federal authorities, along with advocacy efforts from organizations like the Lone Star Justice Alliance, will be crucial in addressing the systemic issues plaguing youth detention facilities in Texas.
