CSEA Praises Juvenile Justice Task Force

ALBANY, NY (06/25/2009)(readMedia)-- New York's leading union is praising Sen. Catharine Young and other state senators for the creation of a special legislative task force aimed at "fixing the broken New York state juvenile justice system."

"We share the concerns of community members, law enforcement officials and youth facility staff that current policies at the Office of Child and Family Services, including the closure of 14 youth facilities, are making a bad situation worse in the juvenile justice system," said CSEA President Danny Donohue.

The union, which represents front line staff at youth facilities throughout the state, has tried to work with OCFS officials on shifting from a correction model to a so-called "sanctuary model," which centers on reducing or eliminating restraints and creating a more therapeutic environment focused on staff building relationships with residents. CSEA is concerned that workers aren't being given the resources and support, including adequate staffing levels and proper training, to make the new model work.

The union has also been critical of the agency's policy of recklessly emptying out facilities and then using the lower population counts as an excuse for closing the facilities.

"Recent incidents of violence bear out our concern that OCFS has been irresponsibly transferring individuals into the community or less secure surroundings who clearly need closer supervision," Donohue said. "We support Senator Young for seeking a more vigorous and responsible approach to the our juvenile justice system."

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