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Thursday, August 24, 2006
Ind. Courts - DOJ to investigate Marion County Juvenile Detention Center
The Indianapolis Star reports today, in a story by Richard D. Walton that begins:
The U.S. Department of Justice will investigate the troubled Marion County Juvenile Detention Center, focusing on how the staff can prevent or investigate abuse and how detainees can air grievances.The investigation comes after a series of high-profile incidents surfaced at the center in the past four months, including reports of sexual abuse of females in custody and shoddy bookkeeping.
Federal officials confirmed the investigation but would not comment on it. Cale Bradford, presiding judge of Marion Superior Court, said Wednesday he welcomes the review.
"They're supposed to be one of the watchdogs" to prevent abuse, Bradford said.
Juvenile Court Judge Marilyn Moores could not be reached for comment about the center Wednesday.According to a letter sent to local officials July 18, the civil rights investigation will seek to determine whether there are "systematic violations" of the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of civil rights.
The letter cited three key areas for review:
• Protecting juveniles from harm, including sexual abuse of female residents by staff members.
• The child abuse reporting and investigation systems.
• The ways residents can report and resolve grievances.
The letter says that if problems are uncovered, the Department of Justice will offer suggestions for improvements.
Posted by Marcia Oddi on August 24, 2006 08:26 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts