CSEA response to U.S. Department of Justice Report on New York State Youth Detention Facilities

ALBANY, NY (08/27/2009)(readMedia)-- CSEA has long raised concerns about New York's juvenile justice facilities. The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and its earlier incarnation as the Division for Youth have suffered from an unfocused mission, poor management, inadequate staffing, resources, training and support.

Abuse should never be tolerated but neither should a system that puts youth, communities and dedicated staff at risk.

We all want a better approach to these issues. It should be based on clear-headed principles that recognize that there are inherent dangers in dealing with the individuals who currently populate New York State OCFS facilities. They also require adequate staff, resources and training. The issues raised in the Department of Justice report go well beyond the confines of state operations – they involve the enormous challenges faced in our inner city schools, communities and families.

CSEA does not have all the answers but we do know that blaming staff for an ill-conceived system that places them in untenable situations is not acceptable. We also know that no one should minimize the need for secure facilities, separate and apart from the adult prison system, for some of the youth in juvenile detention. It is naïve to believe that all youthful offenders can be rehabilitated in non-secure settings with minimal supervision and lack of consequences for their actions. It should be clear that those kinds of circumstances not only put staff at risk but also threaten public safety and make a mockery of the idea of juvenile justice.

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CSEA represents youth aides, administrative and operational staff at OCFS facilities.