Today I was confronted with another incident at the Evins Juvenile Detention Center. The Valley's ABC television station reported on the story. It seems that the center had a sizable number of detainees involved in a brawl. Sadly, I am told that the fight was between individuals from different racial groups. When guards tried to restrain individuals one detainee was reportedly injured. Superintendent Bart Caldwell contends that the fight was between two boys and that others then joined in. When the detainees returned to their dorms, a larger group of boys started throwing objects including chairs. Forty-eight (48) detainees were confined to a dorm as part of a shutdown and stripped of privileges.
Taken in isolation this sort of incident is to be expected but this facility and the juvenile system in general has a history that needs to be monitored. I will continue to do so. At this early stage I am expecting that next session will see legislation that addresses some of the underlying concerns evident in our juvenile system.
3 comments:
Race has nothing to do with it, but I won't get into that right now. These "children," as stated in the Family Code, are the worst of the worst when it comes to juvenile offenders. They're not the egg throwers, petty thieves, or runaways some folks would have us believe. These kids are the hardcore felons of the juvenile set and if they were adults, they would be doing hard prison time for their crimes. As you say, you are going to explore some issues in the next legislative session. My suggestion. Get tough. Un-tie the hands of the guards and administration of these facilities so that they have the ability to maintain order without the fear of being sued. I'm not saying we have to resort to heavy handed tactics, but these thugs, no, criminals, have learned that a staff that runs scared does exactly that...runs!
I will explore all possible options. Understand that there is a Senate committee reviewing the situation. I am simply reporting what I expect. I have no illusions about the place or who the detainees are. There are institutional corrections that will be made. We have a duty to make measured constructive corrections if they improve the conditions at the institutions. Your constructive suggestions are encouraged.
MAY BE THE REP SHOULD TRY WORKING AT EVINS A COUPLE OF DAYS. SO HE CAN SEE WHAT IT IS TO WORK THERE. THIS KIDS ARE THERE FOR MISTAKES THEY MADE IN THE WORLD . THIS SO CALLED KIDS HAVE A RECORD THEY ARE NOT LITTLE ANGELS. THIS KIDS TOOK OVER EVINS . A LOT OF GOOD STAFF LEFT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO SUPPORT FOR THE STAFF. SO IS THIS A DETENTION CENTER OR A DAYCARE.
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