Youth In Crisis: How Kings County Locks Up Youth with Disabilities

Disability Rights California (DRC) and Disability Rights Advocates (DRA) have released their report, Youth in Crisis: How Kings County Locks Up Youth with Disabilities, on conditions in the Kings County Juvenile Center. CJCJ partnered with DRC and DRA on this investigation. 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.

Data shows that youth arrest and detention rates in King’s County are excessive – among the highest in the state. Further investigation findings are below. DRC and DRA shared the results of this investigation with Kings County officials in September, but received no meaningful response.

• inadequate mental health care 
• unsafe conditions for youth with behavioral disabilities and trauma
• an overuse of pepper spray 
• frequent and disproportionate use of force 
• isolation practices that violate state law
• additional punitive and abusive practices

Kings County, like other counties across the state, is replicating the abhorrent, illegal conditions seen in California’s now-closed youth prisons. County and state officials must take action to protect young people being held in these conditions.

You can find the link to their release of the report here and below.

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