Case: CRIPA Investigation, Franklin (PA)

No Court Case | No Court

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Case Summary

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, headb…

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.

Summary Authors

Kristen Sagar (11/25/2007)

People


Attorney for Defendant

Kilberg, William (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Masling, Mark S. (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

Findings Letter re: VisionQuest Juvenile Detention Facility

CRIPA Investigation

Aug. 4, 1994

Aug. 4, 1994

Findings Letter/Report

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 2:39 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Pennsylvania

Case Type(s):

Juvenile Institution

Key Dates

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

United States Department of Justice

Plaintiff Type(s):

U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff

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

VisionQuest Juvenile Detention Facility in Franklin, PA, City

VisionQuest Juvenile Detention Facility (Franklin), City

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act (CRIPA), 42 U.S.C. § 1997 et seq.

Special Case Type(s):

Out-of-court

Available Documents:

None of the above

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Unknown

Nature of Relief:

Unknown

Source of Relief:

Unknown

Issues

General:

Aggressive behavior

Disciplinary procedures

Education

Food service / nutrition / hydration

Personal injury

Restraints : physical

Sanitation / living conditions

Jails, Prisons, Detention Centers, and Other Institutions:

Assault/abuse by staff (facilities)

Medical/Mental Health:

Mental health care, unspecified

Untreated pain

Type of Facility:

Government-run