The Justice Department announced Wednesday that it has launched an investigation into Texas juvenile detention centers for documented cases of physical and sexual abuse by staff working there.
At least 11 employees of Texas juvenile detention centers have been arrested
in recent years on charges of sexual abuse of minors.
In addition, multiple instances of physical and psychological abuse have been documented, among these of
children who were thrown to the ground, kicked, suffocated or kept for too long in solitary confinement,
reported the head of the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, Kristen Clarke.
["I suffered a lot". At the age of 13, he crossed the border to meet his mother again: he spent 4 months in shelters and tried to harm himself]
Just last week, a former West Texas detention center coach was arrested after being accused of touching the breasts of an 18-year-old young woman in custody.
There are even reports of
employees who have
paid minors with drugs or cash
to beat up other institutionalized children, the official added.
The Ron Jackson State juvenile hall in Texas in a 2007 file photo.Chicago Tribune / Tribune News Service via Getty I
The Dallas Morning News documented a 2017 case in which
an adult officer became pregnant with a minor in custody
.
"Children are abused in correctional facilities far too often, as is the case with these children who are abused and deprived of essential services. And because they are children, who are just developing, they are incredibly vulnerable to harm." Clarke.
The actions announced by the Biden Administration come a year after several child and adolescent rights groups filed a complaint with federal investigators, detailing "serious problems" at the five detention centers. juvenile state.
Greg Abbott Bans COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates in Texas
Oct. 12, 202101: 00
The director of Juvenile Justice for one of the organizations that filed the complaint, Brett Merfish of Texas Appleseed, told the Dallas Morning News
who were happy about the news.
We simply believe that these institutions are broken and that we practically need to abandon this system and understand that it does not work for young people.
In fact, it is hurting them. "
BRETT MERFISH, OF TEXAS APPLESEED
Texas had more than 800 minors in detention in 2019
, more than any other state, according to a report the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice released in September of this year.
In 2004, the juvenile inmate population exceeded 4,000.
There are currently 670 detainees, all of them under the age of 17 who have been convicted of serious crimes such as assault, aggravated battery or robbery of a residence.
[Another soldier found dead at Fort Hood Texas base]
"Putting children in poor conditions does not rehabilitate them, it just makes their lives worse," Clarke said.
Subjecting children to poor conditions does not rehabilitate them, it only makes their lives worse. "
Kristen Clarke Deputy Attorney General
Children belonging to minorities are disproportionately represented in the Texas juvenile justice system, Clarke said.
Black children are five times more likely to be locked up than white minors.
Renae Eze, a spokesperson for Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, said
state authorities will cooperate with the federal investigation
.
Abbott had already ordered its own investigation of the detention centers in July, following reports of abuse by staff.
In 2007, Texas lawmakers closed several state juvenile detention centers after authorities suspected that at least 13 children had been sexually abused.
The five reformatories that remain open are scattered in rural areas, something that has made it difficult to hire qualified personnel, according to advocates for children's rights.
With information from
The Associated Press.