Justice Department Finds Widespread Physical, Sexual, and Mental Abuse at Texas Juvenile Facilities

The U.S. Justice Department said Thursday that a sweeping investigation by the Texas Department of Juvenile Justice found widespread systemic physical and mental abuse and violations of children’s civil and constitutional rights.

The announcement follows a scathing report released after authorities investigated conditions at five TJJD facilities: Evins Regional Juvenile Center in Edinburg; Gainesville Public School in Gainesville; Giddings Public School in Giddings; McLennan County Juvenile Correctional Center in Mart; and Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex in Brownwood.

“TJJD has engaged in a pattern of abuse, denial of essential services, and disability-related discrimination that seriously harms children and undermines their rehabilitation — all in violation of their rights under the Constitution, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Kristen Clarke, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said at a news conference with reporters.

The facilities failed to protect the children in their care from sexual abuse and mistreatment, the report said. It found that investigations by the Office of the Inspector General revealed “a pervasive atmosphere of sexual abuse, sexual grooming, and lack of accountability and training for staff at TJJD” and that some of the minors who were abused had previously been victims of similar behavior.

The report lists several examples of alleged misconduct, including a staff member performing oral sex on a child in the shower, others having “overtly sexual conversations” with children and another sending naked photos of herself to a child in one of the units.

The investigation also found that a lack of supervision of staff led to sexual violence and misconduct among the children themselves.

“Children should be safe in these facilities. Sexual abuse undermines any treatment and rehabilitation for children, many of whom have already been victims of sexual abuse and trafficking,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas Alamdar Hamdani. “To make matters worse, children in these facilities … are not receiving the mental health services they need.”

The report also highlights that pepper spray was often used as a first resort, with no decontamination procedures in place.

“TJJD personnel often use significantly more pepper spray and deploy it much more frequently than is necessary to address the threat posed,” the report said.

In one example, a child named Emily allegedly made threats at school. Staff responded by taunting and swearing at her, challenging her to “do something.”

“Eventually, staff told Emily to be quiet, tear-gassed her, and then told her, ‘That’s it, bitch,'” the investigation found. Another child was allegedly tear-gassed while being escorted to a unit in handcuffs.

Some children in these facilities were also exposed to excessive force and restraint techniques that resulted in injuries.

“TJJD staff use more physical force than necessary, including restraints that can restrict a child’s ability to breathe. Additionally, TJJD’s limited control over the use of physical force undermines staff accountability,” the report states.

A former Ron Jackson staffer was charged with official oppression in February after surveillance video showed him “picking up a child and throwing him to the ground, causing a laceration above the child’s eye and a concussion.”

In June 2022, two former Evins Unit staff members were criminally charged after one of them slammed a child’s head against a pillar, knocking him unconscious.

“The boy was allegedly handcuffed with his hands and arms behind his back throughout the ordeal,” the report said, adding that another staff member turned off his camera during the ordeal and then dragged the child to another unit.

The federal investigation also found that children were being held in solitary confinement for longer periods than necessary, which can worsen their mental illness and lead to suicidal thoughts.

Clarke said investigations into the five facilities began in 2021 after the department received a complaint from two advocacy groups about conditions inside. The department also consulted public records and news reports, and state officials worked with the federal government during the investigations.

“We met with state officials today, provided them with our report, and look forward to immediately moving forward with the reforms needed to address the very serious and significant violations outlined in the report,” Clarke said.

On Thursday afternoon, the TJJD released a statement in response to the report and said officials are still working to improve the agency’s operations and services to those in their care and to Texas.

“We have a zero tolerance policy towards abuse and neglect and have always completely rejected any abusive behavior on our campuses,” the statement continued.

“Thanks to the investment in TJJD by the 88th Texas Legislature and the support of the Governor’s Office, we have already made several significant improvements to our workforce, mental health care and educational programs.”