August 2007

U.S. Department of Justice Findings of CRIPA Investigation of Marion County Juvenile Detention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) reviewed the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center (MCJDC) after allegations that the youth were not receiving adequate and appropriate supervision. In December 2006 and February 2007, DOJ conducted on-site inspections at the facility. With the help of expert consultants in juvenile justice, special education, custodial sexual misconduct, and environmental health and sanitation, DOJ interviewed direct-care and administrative staff, youth, and school personnel.

DOJ found that MCJDC failed to protect youth from violence, excessively and improperly used seclusion as punishment, and failed to enact adequate suicide prevention measures. In addition, the youth grievance process and child abuse reporting and investigations processes did not work reliably. Low staffing levels, typically 1 staff member to supervise 16 youth, were identified as a significant contributing factor to high levels of youth-on-youth violence. The amount of structured daily programming was insufficient; generally only 40 minutes of physical activity per day, educational services were scarce, as was other programming. Staff training was inadequate as was the MCJDC behavior management program.