Post by Anja Nieser on Sept 12, 2006 20:30:49 GMT -5
DOJ at Evins today to investigate
Federal investigators today begin a 4-day visit of the Evins Regional
Juvenile Center as part of an ongoing investigation into possible civil
rights violations at the Edinburg youth prison.
Visitors from the U.S. Department of Justice are expected to observe and
inspect the campus, talk with youth who live there and question employees,
said Tim Savoy, spokesman for the Texas Youth Commission, which oversees
Evins.
In June, DOJ officials told Gov. Rick Perry in a letter that the agency
was under investigation for possible violations of civil rights.
The letter did not reveal details of the investigation. It came on the
heels of lawsuits against the agency for alleged civil rights violations,
youth injuries at the hands of Evins staff, and an investigation by Valley
Freedom Newspapers that found cases of physical abuse against youth in TYC
rose sharply in recent years.
Youth advocacy groups have said abuse is widespread in the agency.
TYC views the DOJ visit with "cooperation and hospitality," according to a
statement from the agency released on Monday.
Savoy said he and other TYC administrators based in Austin planned to be
in Edinburg for the visit.
"The Justice Department will have a wealth of expertise that can only
benefit TYC and the state," said Dwight Harris, executive director of the
TYC. "We all want the same thing: safe facilities to rehabilitate young
offenders.
"Now, it's just a matter of them taking a look at how we operate and
seeing if they find any areas where we need to make improvements."
The visit is only one part of the investigation, and findings by the DOJ
are not expected until a later date, Savoy said.
The TYC runs 13 detention centers, including Evins, and nine halfway
houses. TYC holds the most violent or consistent youth offenders, which
comprise about 3 % of all youth who enter the criminal justice system.
(source: Brownsville Herald)
Federal investigators today begin a 4-day visit of the Evins Regional
Juvenile Center as part of an ongoing investigation into possible civil
rights violations at the Edinburg youth prison.
Visitors from the U.S. Department of Justice are expected to observe and
inspect the campus, talk with youth who live there and question employees,
said Tim Savoy, spokesman for the Texas Youth Commission, which oversees
Evins.
In June, DOJ officials told Gov. Rick Perry in a letter that the agency
was under investigation for possible violations of civil rights.
The letter did not reveal details of the investigation. It came on the
heels of lawsuits against the agency for alleged civil rights violations,
youth injuries at the hands of Evins staff, and an investigation by Valley
Freedom Newspapers that found cases of physical abuse against youth in TYC
rose sharply in recent years.
Youth advocacy groups have said abuse is widespread in the agency.
TYC views the DOJ visit with "cooperation and hospitality," according to a
statement from the agency released on Monday.
Savoy said he and other TYC administrators based in Austin planned to be
in Edinburg for the visit.
"The Justice Department will have a wealth of expertise that can only
benefit TYC and the state," said Dwight Harris, executive director of the
TYC. "We all want the same thing: safe facilities to rehabilitate young
offenders.
"Now, it's just a matter of them taking a look at how we operate and
seeing if they find any areas where we need to make improvements."
The visit is only one part of the investigation, and findings by the DOJ
are not expected until a later date, Savoy said.
The TYC runs 13 detention centers, including Evins, and nine halfway
houses. TYC holds the most violent or consistent youth offenders, which
comprise about 3 % of all youth who enter the criminal justice system.
(source: Brownsville Herald)