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Terrebonne Parish Pays Price for Abusing Juveniles
In a shocking turn of events, the Justice Department has announced that its civil rights lawsuit against Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, has resulted in improved conditions for the youth confined in the Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Detention Center. The settlement, which was reached over three years ago, has led to a significant reduction in the use of isolation, inappropriate use of force, and restraints by staff, as well as a decrease in physical abuse of youth by other youth.
According to the Justice Department, the settlement agreement required Terrebonne Parish to implement 43 specific substantive remedial measures to reform conditions at the facility. These measures included increasing protections to prevent sexual abuse of youth by staff, reducing the use of isolation, and implementing programs to prevent and respond to disruptive behavior by youth.
The Justice Department notified Terrebonne Parish officials in 2011 that conditions at the detention center violated the constitutional rights of confined youth. A settlement agreement was reached later that year, and an independent monitor was appointed to closely monitor reform efforts and provide technical assistance to facility officials.
Although the settlement agreement pre-dated the Attorney General’s finalization of the National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape (PREA Standards), the required remedial measures incorporated several provisions eventually set forth in those Standards. For example, Terrebonne Parish began complying with PREA’s minimum staffing ratio requirements, ensuring that unannounced supervisory rounds were periodically conducted, and established a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse.
The settlement also required several remedial measures to increase protections against suicide and other self-harming behavior, including a reduction in the facility’s over-reliance on isolation. The facility implemented an effective incentive-based behavior management program that rewarded youth for positive and pro-social behavior, and staff were trained on Safe Crisis Management – a program for preventing and responding to disruptive behavior by youth.
Terrebonne Parish officials have remained highly cooperative and steadfast in their commitment to improving conditions of confinement in the facility. The Justice Department has concurred with the monitor’s assessment that Terrebonne Parish has achieved substantial compliance with all required remedial measures in the settlement agreement.
The Justice Department’s civil rights lawsuit against Terrebonne Parish was a landmark case that highlighted the need for improved conditions at the Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Detention Center. The settlement has resulted in a safer and more humane environment for the youth confined in the facility.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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