Texas jails: DOJ says violated Constitution & federal laws

Justice Department: Texas Juvenile Detention Centers Violated Kids' Rights

A three-year federal investigation by the US Justice Department finds Texas Juvenile Justice Department violated children's constitutional & civil rights. The report, released Thursday, details a pattern of abuse in five TX juvenile detention centers with a history of violations dating back decades.

We are grateful to the Department of Justice for their thorough investigation and detailed findings... We are hopeful this will be a turning point for youth in these facilities." - Brett Merfish, Texas Appleseed

Abuse & Violations

• 8th & 14th Amendment rights, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act & Americans with Disabilities Act violated.
• Excessive force, prolonged isolation, sexual abuse, & failure to provide adequate mental health services.
• Discrimination against children with disabilities, denying them equal opportunity to education & resources.
• Use of pepper spray, physical assaults, & solitary confinement resulting in concussions, lacerations, & suicidal ideation.
• Sexual threats & abuse, with staff turning off body-worn cameras.
• Minimal educational resources for children with disabilities.
• Failure to provide psychological counseling & speech-language pathology services.

TX Juvenile Justice Department blames "unprecedented" staffing crisis, noting 2023 resources improved shortages.

DOJ Investigation

• 2019 Report: 20% of children at two centers reported sexual abuse.
• TX newspapers began uncovering violations in early 2000s, leading to system overhaul.
• Governor Greg Abbott ordered TX Rangers investigations in 2017 & 2021 resulting in arrests.
• Advocacy groups pleaded for thorough federal investigation, launched end of 2021.

Southern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani:

The conditions in the facilities are unacceptable...my office hopes to provide protections to the vulnerable and help right wrongs that have existed for far too long.