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Thompson Applauds Department of Justice (DOJ) Settlement in Leflore County Junvenile Detention Center (LCJDC)

Statement

Date: May 13, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Minors and Children Criminal Justice

Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) released the following statement regarding the United States Department of Justice and the Leflore County Juvenile Detention Center settlement:

"I am pleased that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and officials in Leflore County, Mississippi have come to a settlement to remedy the unconstitutional treatment of juveniles being held in the Leflore County Juvenile Detention Center (LCJDC). I am encouraged that both groups are working to remedy the many violations concerning the security and facility conditions at the center. The deplorable conditions at LCJDC included undue restraints, arbitrary punitive measures, fire and safety risks and an overall lack of important policy and procedure safeguards. I urge both the officials in Leflore County and at DOJ to work diligently to satisfy their respective obligations of reporting, performance and oversight set out by this agreement.

"Even with this agreement, there is much work to be done to assure that the rights of individuals in this facility are protected. In addition to the deplorable conditions within the facility, DOJ also found violations within the LCJDC school. Since the State of Mississippi took over operations of the school, DOJ's agreement with Leflore County does not address the educational issues within the facility. I urge the State of Mississippi to work with DOJ in the same fashion as Leflore County to resolve this issue," said Congressman Thompson.

From DOJ's Press Release: "Today, the Justice Department announced that it has reached an agreement with Leflore County, Mississippi, to improve security and facility conditions at the Leflore County Juvenile Detention Center in Greenwood, Mississippi. Leflore County committed to numerous reforms to protect children in its care from abuse and self-harm, to improve its security and emergency preparedness and to improve its medical and mental health care."


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