Youth who commits serious and violent crimes would instead be housed at county detention centers instead.
California has long been known for its vast prison system — including the youth prisons spread out across the state. At its peak, California’s juvenile justice system housed approximately 10,000 youth in 11 prisons. Currently, there are three facilities and one camp run by the state.
These juvenile facilities have long been plagued by problems, with advocates reporting that many youth came home more angry and violent than they were before being incarcerated. In some of these warehouse-like facilities, young people were locked in cages for both school and recreation. Some were held in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.
As a juvenile defense attorney in San Bernardino, CA can explain, in 2002, reports of abuse and inhumane conditions within these youth prisons led to sweeping plans for reform through a consent decree with an Alameda County judge. The state was forced to adopt plans to improve the horrible conditions within the facilities and to provide meaningful opportunities for mental health treatment, job training, and education in a safe environment. In 2016, judicial oversight of the system ended. Despite many changes, California’s juvenile detention systems continue to be plagued by violence and an increasing suicide rate.
When Governor Newsom took office in January 2019, he pledged to end the juvenile justice system as we know it. In March of this year, he signed an executive order that temporarily halted new detentions to youth facilities. In May, he announced that no new juvenile offenders will be admitted to the four juvenile facilities operated by California (including 2 prisons in Stockton, one prison in Ventura, and a firefighting camp in Amador County).
Instead of being sent to prison, juvenile offenders who are sentenced to a period of incarceration would be sent to county-run juvenile detention camps and ranches until they reach age 18. At this point, they would be transferred to Valley State Prison, which has a new program that is designed to provide more opportunities for education, therapy and job training. These county-run camps are currently operating at approximately 1/3 of their capacity.
While some advocates have applauded this move, others worry that this change will lead to more youthful offenders being charged as adults. Under current state law, juvenile offenders can remain in the juvenile system until age 25, if a judge finds that they will benefit from the services that are offered. It is unclear whether these same young adults would be transferred to an adult prison under this new scheme.
If your child has been charged with a criminal offense in California, you may be worried about the possibility of them being sent to a detention facility. An experienced juvenile defense attorney in San Bernardino, CA can evaluate your child’s case, and offer them advice on their rights and options. While the juvenile justice system may be improving, the best outcome is usually for your child to avoid incarceration. We can help.
The Chambers Law Firm represents individuals who have been charged with a range of crimes, including youth charged with offenses. We offer skilled, compassionate counsel, and will aggressively defend your child’s rights. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial consultation with a juvenile defense attorney in San Bernardino, CA.
