California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday filed a request in Los Angeles County Superior Court to place Los Angeles County’s juvenile halls into a receivership, saying ongoing mismanagement and unsafe conditions are putting young people at risk.
Bonta made the announcement during a news conference in Los Angeles, calling the move a “last resort” after years of failed efforts to force the county to fix problems at its youth detention facilities.
“For four-and-a-half years, we’ve moved aggressively to bring the county into compliance with our judgment — and we’ve been met with glacial progress,” Bonta said in a statement. “Enough is enough. These young people deserve better, and my office will not stop until they get it.”
A receivership means a “court-appointed official would take total control over the management and operations of the juvenile halls, including the setting of budgets, procurement of goods, hiring and firing of staff, and all other necessary decisions to bring the juvenile halls into compliance,” according to Bonta’s office.
State regulators have also deemed both Los Padrinos and the Barry J. Nidorf Secure Youth Treatment Facility unsuitable for housing youth, and the juvenile court has ordered the depopulation of Los Padrinos.
In March, a grand jury indicted 30 probation staff members on charges including child endangerment and conspiracy. Prosecutors say they allowed or encouraged dozens of fights between young people held in custody — 69 fights involving 143 victims over just six months. This year, Los Padrinos has also had several drug overdoses, despite court orders to improve how contraband is screened.
Bonta’s push for receivership is gaining support from L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose district includes Los Padrinos.
“We have spent years trying to improve conditions, exhausted every tool at the County level, and still, we are failing these young people,” Hahn said in a statement. “I stand ready to do everything I can to help receivership succeed, and I urge our county leadership, our Chief Probation Officer, and our county lawyers to stay at the table to shape a process that helps ensure the kids who are not only in our custody but are in our care get the help and support they need.”
Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath reiterated that sentiment, saying she wouldn’t stop fighting for “the structural change our young people deserve.”
The court will now consider whether to approve the receivership and appoint an independent officer to take control of the troubled facilities.