Blog Jul 14, 2011
New report, same problems: DJF’s prolonged progress
Last week, just prior to the Farrell hearing, the Office of the Special Master released the 18th report documenting DJF’s efforts to comply with the remedial plans’ minimum standards of care. It covers the following: “¢ Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF) audit “¢ Sexual Behavior Treatment Program (SBTP ) update “¢ Integrated Behavioral Treatment Model (IBTM) “¢ ‘Use-of-force’ report “¢ Closure of Preston Youth Correctional Facility In her report, Special Master Campbell…
I have been around long enough to remember the OJ Simpson trial and many other trials that fall under the category of what Samuel Walker calls “celebrated cases.” These are those rare cases that exceed normalcy, largely because of the nature of the offense (one recent example is the kidnapping of 11-year-old Jaycee Lee Dugard by Phillip Garrido who was held prisoner for 18 years) and often because of the celebrity status of those involved. Another thing many of these kinds of cases have in…
Thursday morning’s Farrell hearing did not reach a decision. The purpose of the hearing was to consider the Prison Law Office’s (plaintiff) motion to hold DJF (defendant) in contempt of court for the unconstitutional levels of care provided to youth at Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF). The allegations against DJF are strong, as cited in previous CJCJ blogs , and after continued failure to comply with the court orders, the Prison Law Office decided to pursue a more forceful…
The Department of Juvenile Facilities (DJF) has responded to the Prison Law Office’s allegations stating that Ventura Youth Correctional Facility (VYCF) is in fact providing adequate educational and therapeutic services and proper out-of-cell time to the youth detained in their facilities. The state agency’s explanation of remedies appears to be insufficient in order to create a therapeutic and rehabilitative environment for youth in their care and custody. This is the latest action from the…
It is the responsibility of the state to “provide juveniles sentenced to life a ‘meaningful opportunity for release,’ ” according to the 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Graham v. Florida . In California, there is no such “meaningful opportunity” as of yet. Youth, under the age of 18, committed for 1st degree murder in California can be sentenced to Life Without Parole (LWOP), without ever having the possibility to petition for their parole. Recognizing the fact that these can minors spend…