Across social media platforms this week, posts with the hashtag #ProtectYouthNow along with infographics detailing the rise in cases have been shared in an effort to convince Gov. Gavin Newsom to grant early releases for youth.
Advocates are calling for early releases from California's youth detention facilities amid their largest Covid-19 outbreak, citing early releases from adult prisons over the past two years.
On Friday, April 30, 2021, AFSCME Local 685 Member and Detention Services Officer/DSO
Michael Wall, a loving father and brother, who was a 14-year veteran of the L.A. County Probation Department, was on duty at Central Juvenile Hall.
Shortly after physically restraining a youth who led a group attack on another minor, DSO Wall went in pursuit of two youth involved in the assault. The youth ran out the classroom and into the open field in front of the school.
“While in pursuit, DSO Wall began to experience medical distress,” said Local 685 Institutions VP Sr. DSO Eric Walton. “DSO Dollberry recognized DSO Wall was in distress and caught him just as he collapsed, preventing him from hitting his head on the pavement. A collaborative effort of labor, including AFSCME Local 685’s and SEIU Local 721’s DSOs, SDSOs, and nursing performed 8 cycles of CPR in attempt to preserve and revive DSO Wall.” DSO Wall was transported to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery
Los Angeles County Enters Settlements To Address Conditions In Juvenile Halls
On Thursday, Attorney General Becerra, Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles County Office of Education entered into settlements to improve the conditions and services within the County’s juvenile halls after an investigation revealed serious deficiencies.
In 2018, the California Department of Justice (DOJ) launched an investigation as a response to a complaint that looked into the conditions of confinement at Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall and Central Juvenile Hall were in compliance with state and federal laws.
Additionally, the investigation examined use-of-force policies and incidents, solitary confinement practices, rehabilitation programming, education and medical and mental health services, ultimately determining the County provided insufficient services and endangered youth safety.
The Los Angeles County Probation Department will suspend visitations at juvenile halls and residential treatment facilities for the next three weeks starting this weekend.
The L.A. County Probation Department’s mission to “Rebuild Lives and Provide for Healthier and Safer Communities” also includes taking necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
This is in accordance with California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Regional Stay at Home Order.
Suspended juvenile halls and residential treatment facility visits include after-court, special, and weekend visits by family members, community-based organizations and in-person religious services.
Parents and guardians have been notified of the temporary suspension of visiting via phone calls and letters stating alternative forms of contact with their child. Required legal visits will be held as scheduled, and all court-ordered visits will be honored.