Los Padrinos sees rise in call-outs from probation officers: report

It’s too dangerous to work at the juvenile halls in Los Angeles, according to probation officers.

A report looking into the events that led up to an escape at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall on Nov. 4 was done by the L.A. County inspector general’s office. The report showed that 100 officers were scheduled the night a detainee stole a key, climbed a wall, and escaped the Downey facility. But 60 probation officers called out that night, which left 40 probation officers on duty at the time of the incident.

The L.A. County Probation Department disagreed with the numbers and claimed their records show only 20% of officers called out that day. However, the department gave an attendance report to the Los Angeles Times that showed call-outs at Los Padrinos surged past 100 officers for the next two weekends after the detainee escaped.

About 250 officers distributed between three shifts are generally needed to make Los Padrinos safe, according to the L.A. Times. Between 280-300 juveniles typically live at the Downey facility.

Probation officers said it’s unsafe because they have to break up violent fights and detainees tend to be hostile and take it out on them. The chief deputy said there’s been an increase of violence at Los Padrinos.

Want to get caught up on what's happening in SoCal every weekday afternoon? Click to follow The L.A. Local wherever you get podcasts.

The Downey facility has had other issues arise since November. In January , eight probation officers were placed on leave after surveillance video obtained by the L.A. Times showed a teen being attacked while they stood by. In May, two more probation officers were placed on leave after an investigation detected there were cases of “youth-on-youth” violence. As of May, there were a total of 66 probation officers placed on leave since the beginning of the year.

In February, the California Board of State and Community Corrections declared Los Padrinos unsuitable to house youths. In April , the finding was reversed because it was determined sufficient improvements had been made.

Follow KNX News 97.1 FM
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok