A judge Friday OK’d the Los Angeles County Probation Department’s plan to reduce the number of youth detainees at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, which has continued operating despite state regulators declaring it unsuitable to house youth.
LA Superior Court Judge Michael Espinoza last month ordered the department to devise a plan on how to move youth out of the facility in Downey. Probation officials submitted a plan May 2 that called for reducing the population from 278 to 175 by Aug. 16 and relocating Los Padrinos detainees to six other facilities.
“This plan reflects our continued commitment to balancing public safety, legal compliance, and the rehabilitative needs of the young people in our care,” according to a Probation Department statement Friday. “It is key to note that the court denied an indiscriminate mass release of youth, and that Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall will not be fully depopulated or closed.
“While the court’s decision is an important step forward, certain variables — such as facility readiness, youth evaluations, and required inspections — must still be completed before the transition can begin. We remain confident in the strength of our plan and our ability to implement it responsibly and safely,” probation officials said.
The LA County Board of Supervisors on May 6 directed the Probation Department to evaluate recommendations from the county’s Probation Oversight Commission that included considering some youth detainees for possible monitored release, an overhaul of the youth intake process to slow the influx of detainees to Los Padrinos and relocating lower-risk boys awaiting sentencing to probation camps.
The commission also suggested moving female detainees and “gender-expansive” youth awaiting sentencing to the Dorothy Kirby Center in Commerce and speeding up transfers to court-ordered placements for youth who have been sentenced.
Supervisor Janice Hahn, whose 4th District includes Los Padrinos, said earlier this month that she wants to see the population at about 100.
LA County Public Defender Ricardo Garcia issued a statement in response to the judge’s plan approval.
“Every young person deserves a chance to succeed, and it is crucial that we continue to ensure that youth are placed in environments that are conducive to their growth,” Garcia said. “We strongly support the Probation Oversight Commission’s recommendation of the immediate, safe release of eligible youth through rapid and thorough reassessments of detention recommendations. Secure placement should always prioritize the safety and development of young individuals, not merely punitive measures.
“Regardless of the Court’s decision today, we will continue to advocate for release and alternative placements that are individually tailored to the needs of each youth,” Garcia said.
Following the court ruling, the Youth Development Department reaffirmed “its commitment to collaborating with county agencies and community partners to ensure the Department of Probation’s depopulation plan aligns with the county’s Care First priorities and reduces harm for youth and families,” according to an agency statement.
“DYD is steadfast in its efforts to reduce and ultimately end youth incarceration. We are dedicated to the support and the wellbeing of young people in Probation facilities, through pathways to care, development and safe reentry, and the expansion of alternatives to incarceration,” the statement continued.
Youth Development programs including Credible Messenger mentors and Reentry Action for Youth will be available for Los Padrinos detainees, officials said.
The department’s Community Dialogue Events throughout May and June offer the public an opportunity to provide feedback on juvenile hall issues. To register for these events, go to tinyurl.com/PFPDialogue. Officials also asked for feedback via info@dyd.lacounty.gov.
The depopulation plan’s first phase is May 16 to June 16, when the goal is to reduce the number of detainees to 197. The Probation Department plan calls for another 22 youth detainees to relocate by Aug. 16.
The California Board of State and Community Corrections must review youth detention facilities to make sure they comply with state standards, along with LA County Juvenile Court Health Services, the county Office of Education, Public Health and Mental Health departments and other agencies.
In December, the BSCC declared Los Padrinos unsuitable to house youth detainees because of staffing deficiencies and other problems. The county, however, continued operating the facility due to a lack of suitable alternative locations to house Los Padrinos detainees.
Probation Department appeals requesting the BSCC to rescind the unsuitability ruling assert that corrective steps have been taken, but state regulators have not changed course.
The juvenile hall has been plagued with problems since it hastily reopened in 2023, when the state ordered the closure of Central Juvenile Hall in Boyle Heights and Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar.
In addition to short-staffing, escape attempts and allegations of violence among detainees — sometimes while probation officers allegedly stood by without intervening — have led to Los Padrinos’ unsuitability designation.
In March, 30 county probation officers faced criminal charges in connection with alleged cases of “youth-on-youth violence” at the facility. Prosecutors said probation officers arranged “gladiator fights” involving detainees. According to state Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office, 69 youth fights took place at Los Padrinos from July to December 2023.
