New lawsuit against South Carolina DJJ alleges ‘nightmarish conditions’

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A brand new lawsuit towards the South Carolina Dept. of Juvenile Justice alleges that kids are being saved in nightmarish circumstances, calling the operations unconstitutional.

The state’s NAACP chapter, Incapacity Rights South Carolina and Justice 360 are suing the SC Dept. of Juvenile Justice and Interim Exec. Director Eden Hendrick, claiming that DJJ topics kids with extended isolation and endemic violence at their amenities.

A part of the lawsuit alleges that there’s sewage water within the cells, feces on the ground, and cockroaches within the meals.

In a launch, the teams declare that kids held at DJJ amenities are routinely subjected to violence, months of solitary confinement and a scarcity of instructional and psychological well being assets.

“South Carolina exposes the youngsters in its juvenile justice system—most of whom are Black—to barbaric circumstances,” mentioned Brenda Murphy, President of the NAACP South Carolina State Convention of Branches. “Youngsters in custody endure from fixed violence, are remoted for weeks and months, and are denied the essential rehabilitative providers they want and are entitled to. Our most susceptible kids should obtain help, not punishment.”

In August of 2021, comparable claims had been made towards the division and then-Director Freddie Pough following a well-publicized workers walk-out and protest simply two months earlier in June.

In April of 2022, the Dept. of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and the US Legal professional’s Workplace introduced a settlement settlement in a civil rights investigation involving DJJ. The settlement arrange a collection of timelines for DJJ to make modifications to insurance policies, procedures and different issues.

This newest lawsuit claims that DJJ has not made enhancements with regards to implementing options.

“DRSC is worried concerning the lack of acceptable placement and providers for youngsters positioned in any respect DJJ amenities, together with the numerous kids in DJJ’s care who’re disabled,” mentioned Beth Franco, Govt Director of Incapacity Rights South Carolina.

A launch from the plaintiffs mentioned, partly:

The lawsuit, filed collectively by the ACLU of South Carolina, the NAACP, and the regulation corporations Wyche and Jenner & Block, asks the courtroom to declare that the division is violating the constitutional rights of South Carolina kids and seeks judicial intervention to facilitate instant cures corresponding to clear water, dry beds, wholesome meals, security from violence, freedom from unconstitutional makes use of of solitary confinement, significant entry to schooling and psychological well being assets, and lodging for youngsters with disabilities.

You’ll be able to learn the whole lawsuit right here:

PRIOR COVERAGE:

State lawmakers name for modifications in DJJ and its management

McMaster directs SLED, Division of Administration to assessment DJJ insurance policies

SC DJJ safety workers, lecturers stroll off the job

State senators give DJJ chief a vote of no confidence

Copyright 2022 WIS. All rights reserved.

Discover a spelling or grammar error on this article? Click on or faucet right here to report it. Please embody the article’s headline.