Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey was on lockdown for the second Friday in a row last week. Officials said security was increased at the facility, which is home to some 270 pre-trial youth, after several young people allegedly attacked staff.
How we got here
The most recent incident at Los Padrinos comes less than two weeks after officials announced hundreds of young people had been moved out of two other facilities that a state board found unsuitable.
The L.A. County Probation Department said in a statement that at around 8 p.m. Friday, seven young people allegedly assaulted staff and broke out of a unit at the facility in Downey. One 18-year-old was able to break out of the facility and ran to the golf course next door. But the department said he was quickly apprehended. In total, 13 youths were involved, officials added.
The latest incident occurred just a week after a gun was found at the facility. The probation department says neither of the incidents led to serious injuries.
Why parents and advocates remain concerned
Meanwhile, parents and youth justice reform advocates continue to be concerned about conditions in L.A. County’s juvenile halls and camps.
Outside Los Padrinos in Downey last week, Adreena Rochall said she waited more than three hours to see her teenage son after the gun incident. She said no one from the department reached out to her to let her know about the lockdown from a couple weeks ago and she felt panicked.
“They are not checking anything properly, they are putting these kids’ lives at risk. And now they’re getting desperate — the kids they all want to break out. And I don’t blame them. I…
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