For Immediate Release: Mon. Jan. 24, 2005
Contact: Chris Burley, 202-467-5730 x 133

California Kids with Mental Illness Warehoused in Juvenile Detention

Washington, DC—Each night, hundreds of California children wait for community mental health services in juvenile detention, according to a report released today by a Congressional committee.

“It is sickening that so many California children are being punished for the state’s failure to provide adequate services,” said Ira Burnim, legal director at the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, a Washington, DC-based legal advocate for adults and children with mental disabilities.

“These kids need help, not jail time,” continued Burnim. “The only way to end this practice is to ensure that appropriate mental health services are readily available in the community.”

The report—prepared for Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) by the minority staff of the Special Investigations Division of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Government Reform—found that:

• Most California juvenile detention facilities hold youth who are awaiting mental health services in the community. Some children are as young as eight years old. In four facilities, children with mental illness are held in detention centers without any charges against them.

• Over a six-month period, more than 750 incarcerated youth waited for community mental health services in California. Each night, more than 250 youth wait in detention for community mental health services. The average stay for youth in detention awaiting treatment is about twice as long as the average stay for all detainees.

• Nearly all the California juvenile detention facilities that hold youth waiting for community mental health services report that some youth have attempted to harm themselves or others while in juvenile detention. Yet over half of these facilities provide no mental health training for staff.

• California juvenile detention facilities spend an estimated $10.8 million each year to house youth who are waiting for community mental health services.

In 2002, the Bazelon Center and a coalition of public interest organizations filed suit against the state of California to improve the availability of community-based mental health services for children with emotional and behavioral impairments.

“In California and elsewhere, children are bounced from agencies and placements,” said Burnim. “The buck has to stop somewhere and it shouldn’t be in juvenile detention.”

Today’s report analyzes data from a national survey of juvenile detention facilities released last year by Rep. Waxman and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME). That national survey found that tens of millions of dollars are spent to warehouse youth with mental or emotional disorders in juvenile detention facilities across the country.

“This is a national problem that needs to be at the very top of Congress’ priorities,” said Burnim. “Juvenile detention can be an isolating and terrifying experience for a child with mental health needs. It is unconscionable to allow this practice to continue.”

Both the national survey and the report on California are available online at: http://www.democrats.reform.house.gov .

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The Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is a national legal advocate for the rights of adults and children with psychiatric disabilities.