Texas Democrats grill juvenile justice officials over abuse allegations at agency detention centers

Top officials with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department told state lawmakers Monday that the alleged rampant abuse within the agency’s facilities were due to low staffing levels and aren’t reflective of the department’s current climate.

It’s the second time this month TJJD leaders have pushed back on the findings contained in a Department of Justice report that found widespread instances of physical and mental abuse, along with violations of children’s civil and constitutional rights. The officials made the same claims about staffing issues largely being the culprit during a TJJD board meeting Aug. 9.