Filed Date: Jan. 9, 2008
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
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)
Perez, Thomas E. (District of Columbia)
Quigley, Thomas D (Indiana)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:45 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: Indiana
Case Type(s):
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):
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):
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):
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General:
Staff (number, training, qualifications, wages)
Policing:
Inadequate citizen complaint investigations and procedures
Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:
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:
Medical/Mental Health:
Type of Facility: