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| Review: Ariz. juvenile lockups improving |
| By Associated Press |
| Published: 04/04/2005 |
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Arizona's three juvenile corrections facilities are improving but still fall short in areas like medical care and special education, according to a new federal review. The state agreed in September to a three-year improvement plan to avert a federal lawsuit after an investigation found deplorable conditions in the state's juvenile facilities. The plan requires better treatment, supervision and education for incarcerated youth. As part of the agreement, federal officials are reviewing implementation of the plan. The first interim federal review was released two weeks ago. In it, four consultants said the state had partially complied with most required changes and substantially complied with others. "Arizona is developing a very solid base not only for responding to this settlement agreement but for providing an expectation of professionalism that will ensure that incarcerated youth in the care of (the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections) are safe from harm and the recipients of strong rehabilitative programming," the consultants wrote. Still, many youth said they didn't feel safe, particularly at the Adobe Mountain School north of Phoenix. About a third were skeptical of the staff's ability to protect them, the consultants said. "It's a fair report," said Juvenile Corrections director Michael Branham. "But we've got a long way to go." Before the agreement, the U.S. Justice Department found rampant abuse and inadequate mental health treatment and special education. There were three suicides in less than a year. The Legislature last year gave Branham's agency an additional $5.1 million to hire more guards, teachers and mental health workers, and to make other improvements. The budget approved by legislators earlier this month cut the department by $3.1 million, however. State officials say the cut will impede required improvements. |
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