An investigation conducted by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department revealed serious misconduct at a juvenile detention center in Dallas. Staff at the Dr. Jerome McNeil Jr. Detention Center were found to have kept juveniles isolated in their sleeping quarters for extended periods by misusing the Special Needs Unit.

According to state investigators, the young detainees spent the majority of their days confined to their cells, sometimes for up to 24 hours without access to education, exercise, outdoor recreation, or even basic hygiene facilities. The probe highlighted that logs of observation checks and school attendance were falsified by officers to conceal these practices.

Although the full investigation report remains undisclosed, the executive summary reveals the extent of the violations that took place. It was noted that some staff members altered documents to show consistent observation times and codes for each juvenile resident, indicating a deliberate attempt to cover up the truth.

Allegations of inadequate nutrition and restrictions on communication and visitation rights were also raised during the investigation, although conclusive evidence could not be found to either confirm or refute these claims. The Special Needs Unit, established in 2009 to assist mentally ill juveniles on probation, was shut down in 2023; however, the reasons behind its closure remain unspecified.

This recent report follows a damning assessment by the U.S. Department of Justice, which exposed unconstitutional conditions in all five of Texas’ juvenile detention facilities. The federal investigation uncovered various forms of mistreatment, including excessive use of pepper spray and failure to implement measures to prevent sexual abuse.

Former Executive Director of the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center, Darryl Beatty, was implicated in the state’s report for failing to address the neglect within the special needs unit. Beatty, who previously refuted the allegations, resigned amidst media scrutiny over the facility’s conditions.

Officials from Dallas have taken corrective actions in response to the state investigation, and although the inquiry is now closed, TJJD representatives stated that ongoing monitoring will continue to ensure the safety and well-being of juveniles in detention.