Settlement Reached in CJCJ Supported Kings County Disability Rights Investigation and Lawsuit

Congratulations to Disability Rights California (DRC) and Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) for entering into a settlement with Kings County Probation Department that will reform conditions for youth detained in the Kings County Juvenile Detention Center in California’s Central Valley. The settlement resolves claims against the Probation Department that stem from a multi-year investigation by DRC and DRA, detailed in a 2023 public report, which found that youth with disabilities faced harmful use of force, isolation, and discipline; inadequate mental health services; punitive responses to disability-related behaviors; and probation practices that drove high rates of detention and recidivism.

CJCJ was proud to support in the 2023 investigation that led to the lawsuit. CJCJ’s Technical Assistance team analyzed publicly available data, reviewed Kings County documents obtained through DRC and DRA’s investigation, toured the facility, and conducted interviews with Probation Department staff and incarcerated youth in Kings County facilities.