South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice employees have been accused of neglecting the rights of minors in their care, sparking a lengthy investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The investigation, which began in October 2017, revealed that the Broad River Road Complex in Columbia, South Carolina, a long-term residential facility for children, was plagued by a pattern of excessive force and prolonged isolation.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke and U.S. Attorney Corey Ellis announced the settlement agreement, which requires the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice to make significant changes to the facility’s operations.
The changes include increasing staffing, developing a positive behavior management program, and installing video surveillance to reduce youth-on-youth violence. Additionally, the Department of Juvenile Justice has agreed to limit the use of force or restraints to exceptional circumstances and improve its investigation process.
The settlement also restricts the use of isolation to incidents where the child poses a serious and immediate danger to themselves or to others. An independent subject matter expert will be appointed to monitor the agreement and provide recommendations to ensure the Department of Juvenile Justice’s compliance.
The investigation and settlement agreement are part of the Justice Department’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the rights of children held in secure facilities across the country.
Defendant: South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice
Criminal Charges: Neglect of Juvenile Rights
City and State: Columbia, South Carolina
Exact Date: October 2017
Sentence or Outcome: Settlement Agreement
Dollar Amounts: N/A
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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