Texas Juvenile Detention Centers Exposed: Justice Department Reveals Widespread Abuse

"A pattern of abuse, deprivation of essential services and disability-related discrimination" has been identified in Texas juvenile detention centers.

The DOJ recently announced their findings in a press release with regard to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department's (TJJD) violation of constitutional rights of children within the system.

The full investigation report from the DOJ can be found here.

Failures of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department

State officials in these juvenile detention centers have the obligation to ensure the safety, education and rehabilitation of all children who enter. They must also provide them with the necessary health services and fair treatment that non-discriminatory state centers, by law, provide.

This was not the case, however, from a recent visit to Texas juvenile facilities from the DOJ.

In a recent report on five TJJD youth facilities, the following violations of constitutional rights were identified:

• Children were exposed to excessive force and prolonged isolation
• State officials failed to protect children from sexual abuse
• Mental health services were not provided to children who qualified

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1975 was also violated in each of these five monitored facilities when special education and other related services were inadequately provided for children with disabilities.

Protected rights within the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) were also violated on these occasions:

• Equal opportunities to benefit from education was denied
• Reasonable modifications to allow participation in programming failed to be provided

The state also failed to properly allocate federal funds to help educate children with disabilities, not allowing them to re-enter the education system.

The DOJ will be working with the TJJD in rectifying these shortcomings and bolstering child health, education and rehabilitation both now and in the future.