Español66 Los Angeles County Probation Officers Have Been Placed on Leave Following Allegations of Misconduct
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (May 14, 2024) – So far this year, 66 LA County probation officers have been placed on administrative leave following allegations of official misconduct.
Los Angeles County officials said that they are releasing this information in the spirit of greater transparency. This report is followed by the release of disturbing videos coming out of Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.
In the videos, officers are seen allowing youth-on-youth violence to go completely unchecked. The officers that have been suspended have worked at both adult and juvenile facilities.
A total of 39 of the officers were placed on leave for general misconduct, including excessive force, child endangerment, and possession of contraband. Another 18 officers were suspected of sexual misconduct, and nine allegedly engaged in misconduct unrelated to employment.
Of the 66 officers suspended, 14 were related to the violence at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. A full investigation remains ongoing at this time.
Liability For Los Angeles County Probation Officer Misconduct
Misconduct within adult and juvenile facilities is sadly far too common in every state. According to Mother Jones, “19% of all male inmates in US prisons say they’ve been physically assaulted by other inmates. 21% say they’ve been assaulted by prison staff.” Misconduct during incarceration can take many different forms.
- Physical Abuse: This can include excessive use of force by probation officers.
- Sexual Abuse: Any form of sexual conduct between inmates and probation officers is prohibited. This is true even if the conduct was “consensual” in some way.
- Neglect: Inmates are not able to seek out care for themselves. They must get this care from jail officials and other healthcare providers.
- Discrimination: Inmates have often been treated unfairly based on characteristics such as race, religion, and sexual orientation.
Inmates have a number of rights protected by the constitution. This includes being able to receive adequate medical care and being able to live free from the fear of excessive force. According to 42 U.S. Code § 1983, every person who, under the color of law, deprives someone of their rights afforded under the Constitution, shall be liable to the injured party in an action at law. It is important that certain steps be taken after any instance of misconduct by jail officials.
- Eyewitnesses should be interviewed.
- A police report should be created.
- Surveillance footage should be sought.
- A skilled civil rights attorney should be contacted.
Any instance of misconduct within a jail can be highly distressing. This is particularly true when the misconduct is directed against children. In many cases, misconduct is not an isolated incident. It is due to systemic failures in the jail system. Any person who is abused during their incarceration does have rights. They may be able to seek some measure of justice through a civil claim.
Investigating Misconduct Across LA County Jails
We at the Carrillo Law Firm, LLP were deeply concerned to hear about the scope of the misconduct allegations made against LA County probation officers. While it is reassuring that an investigation is being conducted, more needs to be done to ensure proper oversight. Every person who is incarcerated in the United States has certain fundamental rights that cannot be abridged, regardless of what they are being accused of.
Have you or someone that you care about been affected by misconduct at a Los Angeles County jail? Our team of civil rights attorneys is here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that inmates are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need any type of support, we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 626-799-9375.
