Case: DOJ Investigation of Juvenile Facilities in Indianapolis and Pendleton, Indiana

No Court

Filed Date: Jan. 9, 2008

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On January 9, 2008, the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division ("DOJ") initiated an investigation of conditions at the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility ("Pendleton") in Pendleton, Indiana. And on January 28, 2008, the DOJ initiated an investigation of conditions at the Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility ("Indianapolis," now known as Madison Juvenile Correctional Facility) in Indianapolis, Indiana. Both of these investigations were pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutio…

On January 9, 2008, the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division ("DOJ") initiated an investigation of conditions at the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility ("Pendleton") in Pendleton, Indiana. And on January 28, 2008, the DOJ initiated an investigation of conditions at the Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility ("Indianapolis," now known as Madison Juvenile Correctional Facility) in Indianapolis, Indiana. Both of these investigations were pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997, and the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, 42 U.S.C. § 14141. The DOJ, along with experts, visited each facility several times.

On January 29, 2010, the DOJ issued an investigative findings letter regarding Indianapolis, which is Indiana's sole girls' juvenile correction facility. The letter indicated that Indianapolis failed to provide girls with adequate protection from harm, mental health care, and special education services. The letter concluded that these failures violated the Constitution and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. However, because of Indianapolis' cooperation, the DOJ agreed that provided the cooperative relationship continued, they would forward expert consultants' reports under separate cover. The reports would not be public documents.

On August 22, 2012, the DOJ issued a similar investigative findings letter regarding Pendleton. The letter indicated that Pendleton failed to take reasonable steps to prevent youth from committing suicide, failed to provide reasonably safe conditions of confinement for youth, failed to provide youth with adequate mental health care, and failed to provide youth with adequate special education services. That letter concluded that these failures were in violation of the Constitution and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. However, because of Pendleton's cooperation, the DOJ agreed that provided the cooperative relationship continues, they would forward expert consultants' reports under separate cover. The reports would not be public documents.

As of November 11, 2014, there have been no additional investigative documents made available and no lawsuits filed. However, the DOJ website indicates that the investigations are ongoing.

Summary Authors

Richard Jolly (11/12/2014)

People


Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Perez, Thomas E. (District of Columbia)

Quigley, Thomas D (Indiana)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Investigation of the Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility, Indianapolis, Indiana (2010)

Jan. 29, 2010

Jan. 29, 2010

Findings Letter/Report

Investigation of the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility, Pendleton, Indiana (2010)

Aug. 22, 2012

Aug. 22, 2012

Findings Letter/Report

Resources

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:45 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Indiana

Case Type(s):

Juvenile Institution

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 9, 2008

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s investigation of conditions at the Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility (“IJCF”) in Indianapolis and Pendleton, Indiana.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Attorney Organizations:

U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility , County

Indianapolis Juvenile Correctional Facility, County

Defendant Type(s):

Jurisdiction-wide

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.

Violent Crime and Law Enforcement Act, 34 U.S.C. § 12601 (previously 42 U.S.C. § 14141)

Constitutional Clause(s):

Due Process

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

General:

Bathing and hygiene

Classification / placement

Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)

Policing:

Excessive force

Inadequate citizen complaint investigations and procedures

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Grievance procedures

Pepper/OC spray

Sexual abuse by residents/inmates

Sex w/ staff; sexual harassment by staff

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Assault/abuse by non-staff (facilities)

Affected Sex or Gender:

Female

Male

Medical/Mental Health:

Mental health care, general

Suicide prevention

Type of Facility:

Government-run