The Justice Department has recently released a damning report on the state of youth lockups in Texas, highlighting issues such as sexual abuse, excessive use of pepper spray, and prolonged isolation of children in their cells. The report accuses the Texas Juvenile Justice Department of violating the constitutional rights of numerous juveniles in its custody. This report follows a federal investigation that was initiated three years ago into alleged widespread abuse and harsh practices within the state’s juvenile detention centers.
According to U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristin Clarke, staff at these facilities have been involved in sexual acts with children, subjected some to lengthy periods of isolation in their cells ranging from 17 to 22 hours, and even pepper sprayed children in the face. Clarke underscored that approximately 80% of the children in the Texas youth lockups are Black or Hispanic, emphasizing that this is a matter of racial justice and that all children deserve protection from harm and access to necessary services.
The Texas juvenile justice department has stated that it maintains a “zero-tolerance” policy towards abuse and neglect and collaborated closely with federal investigators during their recent visit in 2022. Meanwhile, representatives from Governor Greg Abbott’s office did not respond immediately to requests for comments. The governor’s office previously stated its intention to cooperate with the federal investigation when it was launched.
The federal report also revealed that mental health issues, such as suicidal thoughts and self-harm, were often disregarded, with children frequently facing punishment for their behavior instead. This failure to address and treat mental health concerns was deemed a violation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by officials during the report release. The Justice Department expressed the hope of working with the state to rectify these violations, while also suggesting the possibility of a federal lawsuit.
Notably, in 2021, the Justice Department began an investigation into Texas’ five juvenile facilities following complaints filed by advocates. Texas is not alone in facing scrutiny, as other states like Kentucky are also under federal investigation or facing lawsuits from former incarcerated youths over harsh conditions in youth lockups. Earlier in the year, a federal probe into conditions in Kentucky’s youth detention centers was initiated after a state report raised concerns regarding the use of force and isolation techniques. Similar lawsuits alleging mistreatment of incarcerated children have been filed in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey this year.
