Los Angeles County has agreed to pay $2.7 million to a teenager who suffered a brutal attack at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, where staff allegedly facilitated violent “gladiator fights” among youths. Surveillance footage captured the 2023 incident, showing at least six youths attacking the 16-year-old while probation officers looked on, some even engaging with the fighters. Following the release of this footage, a state grand jury in March charged 30 correctional officers with various offenses, including child endangerment and conspiracy, linked to nearly 70 similar scheduled fights involving over 140 young victims.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the premeditated nature of these fights, highlighting how they were organized for specific times and locations. The teenager’s attorney, Jamal Tooson, referred to the settlement as a vital acknowledgment of the probation department’s “egregious” conduct, stressing the need for systemic changes to ensure the safety of all youths in similar situations.
Past issues at Los Padrinos led to judicial intervention, with a judge ruling that the probation department could no longer house juveniles there and a plan was implemented to relocate more than 100 youths. An internal review highlighted failures in monitoring, medical response, and communication with families following violent incidents.
Tooson called attention to a deep-rooted culture of violence within the probation system, stating that mere procedural changes wouldn’t suffice to prevent future incidents. He has initiated 19 lawsuits addressing ongoing issues, including physical and sexual abuse within LA County’s youth detention facilities, advocating for a necessary overhaul in oversight and accountability for the safety of incarcerated youth.
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