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| Officers suspended for allegedly assaulting inmates |
| By Harlingen Valley Morning Star |
| Published: 01/24/2005 |
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Eight officers are on unpaid leave for mistreating, in some cases assaulting, boys and young men at the Evins Regional Juvenile Center in Edinburg, Texas according to the Texas Youth Commission. The TYC, which oversees the Evins center, opened investigations into 19 incidents after complaints of wrongdoing. Most of the complaints were about mistreatment that occurred between Nov. 6 and Nov. 8, and came from detainees, parents and other staff members, said Tim Savoy, public information officer for the TYC. In a Jan. 12 letter to South Texas legislators, Dwight Harris, executive director of the TYC, said some staff members were using excessive force to maintain order. As of Tuesday, seven of the 19 incidents had been confirmed by the TYC and had resulted in the unpaid suspensions of eight juvenile correctional officers, Savoy said. Eight of the allegations were not confirmed, and four incidents remain under investigation, Savoy said. Among the allegations were: assault, unnecessary use of force, excessive use of force and failing to seek medical help for a detainee, Savoy said. In his letter to lawmakers, Harris went on to say that TYC investigated the allegations quickly and is taking action against the correction officers involved. Harris asked legislators to continue supporting the TYC, saying "we all know that our program may be the last chance most of these youths have before becoming career criminals." Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra said on Tuesday he was not aware of the investigations into the Evins center and his office had not filed criminal charges. The Evins center, which has about 250 residents, most between 15 and 20 years old. Boys and young men who commit crimes are sent there for punishment, but also to get counseling, take classes and prepare to reenter society, which most will do. Evins is the only TYC detention center in the Valley and takes children from all over South Texas. When teen-agers from Brownsville, McAllen and Harlingen are ordered to do time, they are often sent to Evins to straighten their lives if they want to avoid jail later, according to those familiar with the center. TYC would not release the names of the suspended officers on Tuesday, citing privacy reasons while they continue with the disciplinary process, Savoy said. |
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