In 1994, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted an investigation of the VisionQuest Juvenile Detention Facility in Franklin, Pennsylvania pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq. The Justice Department issued its findings on August 4, 1994, ...
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In 1994, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted an investigation of the VisionQuest Juvenile Detention Facility in Franklin, Pennsylvania pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq. The Justice Department issued its findings on August 4, 1994, which uncovered several unconstitutional conditions. The DOJ found that VisionQuest staff members subjected juveniles to serious physical and mental abuse, including punching, hitting, headlocks, headbutts, screaming matches, and choking restraints. Juveniles were allegedly forced to stand in the cold as punishment, received inadequate food and educational services, and endured unsanitary and crowded conditions.
The Justice Department instructed VisionQuest to remedy the situation by changing its policies and increasing staff training to prevent physical and mental abuse. VisionQuest was also ordered to provide special educational services to its residents, increase the hygienic protection of the facility, and provide individualized treatment plans to each resident.
We have no further information on steps the city took to address the problems.
Kristen Sagar - 11/25/2007
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