BACKGROUND

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The Los Angeles County Probation Department’s juvenile detention facilities are badly outdated and in need of critical renovations with almost all of its physical plants in significant dilapidation. In their current state, its facilities are not adequate to meet the basic State law requirement of a “homelike” environment, much less meet the current care-first, intensive rehabilitation model that juvenile justice requires.

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The Department provides thousands of rehabilitative programs, but – as the Los Angeles Times reported last week – “Classes and activities are often canceled because teachers and contract service providers are too afraid to come in.” (Los Angeles Times, March 12, 2023)

 

• Critical infrastructure funding is also required for the new Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF) youth and young adults, whose care model demands modern, not old, dilapidated, facilities. 

• In order to comply with Federal law and regulations, the SYTF “minors,” who are 19 to 25, cannot be housed within sight and sound of the 18 years or younger juveniles under the Department’s supervision. This important requirement cannot be met in the County’s current plant system.

  • The L.A. Probation Department does not have an adequate training facility to assure that the officers are properly trained to provide rehabilitative services (currently officers receive minimal training in a dilapidated elementary school).

  • To achieve real juvenile justice reform, specifically care-first, trauma informed therapeutic treatment, the Los Angeles County Probation Department needs substantial infrastructure and capital improvement funding from the State.

 

PROBLEM

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• More than fifteen years after the Local Youth Offender Rehabilitation Facility Construction Finance Program (SB 81, Chapter 175, and Statutes of 2007), the critical infrastructure requirements for Los Angeles County demand the same approach to ensure that Los Angeles’ justice-involved youth have as many tools as possible available for their rehabilitation.

• With inspection reports from the Board of State Community Corrections dating back ten years stating the critical need for major infrastructure improvements, and current research forming the bases of a true trauma-informed care model, it is well past the time to make substantial renovations.

• Further, L.A. County Probation’s current training facility lacks the proper spacing, technological connectivity, equipment, aesthetics, restroom amenities, library, accessibility, and inviting environment for learning and community engagement.

 

SOLUTION

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• AB 695 would provide funding and oversight for a state-of-the-art, home-like facilities that promote care first treatment, therapeutics, and rehabilitation.

  • Home Like Environment – Improve individual living quarters with restroom amenities (toilets, sinks, etc.) and attached laundry room for self-help training.

  • Vocational and Life Skill Training Facilities – Technology education center, including computer labs with virtual vocational training by community-based agencies, such as financial literacy, computer coding, as well as automotive training center, culinary training facility, and amphitheater and stage for performing arts training.

  • Health and Welfare – Indoor gymnasium, onsite medical (acute care and pharmaceutical space), and mental clinics that are strategically located for quick response, safe and aesthetic outer areas, park like areas with basketball courts, hand ball courts, and garden scenery.

  • Visitor Center – Separate visiting facility located inside main structure where families and friends are in a secure environment but separated from the client population.

  • Transitional Facilities – Step-down facilities that offer less restricted environments for those who have graduated to that level of their stay and are close to release. (Possible apartments with five to ten units to enhance training on “Independent Living” capability.)

• To facilitate this critical transformation, AB 695 would provide funding and oversight to:

  • Central Juvenile Hall – Raze and build a new Central Juvenile Hall with facilities that work for the programing and counseling required for a trauma-informed, care-first model.

  • Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall – Substantial renovation and infrastructure to Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall, providing upgraded living units and modernizing the plant to change from a prison-like facility to the State-law required “homelike” environment.

  • Dorothy Kirby Center – Substantial renovation and infrastructure enhancements to Dorothy Kirby Center, providing upgraded living units and modernizing the plant to meet State-law required “homelike” environment.

  • Other Facilities – Review the County’s remaining infrastructure upgrades and modernization to meet to the State-law required “homelike” environments.

• Critically, AB 695 would provide funding for a modern Probation Training Center to assure that Los Angeles County has highly trained, emotionally fit employees in evidence-based trauma-informed, care-first programming and counseling to assure success in working with these high need clients.  

• The proposed Training Center would:

  • Provide a safe, comfortable, aesthetically pleasing, and accessible environment with technological connectivity and a computer lab, library, mat room, gym, and training equipment, and proper amenities for the employees (cafeteria, restrooms, relaxing area, lockers, etc.).

  • Provide space and proper décor that attracts and invites community-based organizations, justice partners, and human services groups to come and present their skill sets and programs to employees.  

• Promote awareness, diversity, and support of outside agencies. The collaboration efforts will enhance the existing programs and make such collaboration more comfortable for all stakeholders.