On November 19, 2009, the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division began an investigation of Parish of Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Detention Center (TPJDC) pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 14141. On January 18, 2011, the DOJ published their findings that the TPJDC violated youth's civil rights and that youth were harmed by (1) physical and sexual misconduct by staff; (2) excessive physical restraints when lesser forms of punishment would be appropriate; (3) inappropriate use of chemical agents; (4) excessive use of isolation; and (5) inadequate suicide prevention.

On October 4, 2011, the United States filed suit in the Eastern District of Louisiana against Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government, who owned and operated TPJDC, under 42 U.S.C. § 14141. The complaint alleged the harms identified in the findings letter. The United States sought equitable and declaratory relief, as well as a permanent injunction against further participation in the alleged acts.

The same month, negotiations began between the parties. They submitted a settlement agreement to the Court on October 19, 2011. The agreement was approved by Judge Helen G. Berrigan on October 31, 2011 and the case was dismissed. The settlement agreement included provisions to cure the alleged violations. It also included terms for monthly reports produced by monitor documenting statistics, trends, and corrective actions. The agreement would terminate once the United States certified that the Parish was in substantial compliance with all of the provisions of the settlement for twelve consecutive months.

On November 19, 2014, the Court issued an order of final dismissal terminating the settlement agreement and dismissing the case with prejudice.

Richard Jolly - 11/18/2014


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