According to a Los Angeles Times report, many of California’s active and closed detention camps are accused of sexual and physical abuse of inmates by guards in their facilities.

More than 10 California detention probation guards have been convicted of crimes for inappropriate conduct involving current or former inmate probationers – including several cases of molesting or beating inmates in their care.

California  Detention Halls Affected

Los Angeles County Detention Hall Facilities

Barry J. Nidorf Detention Hall (BJNJH)

Members of the California board that oversees conditions inside detention facilities statewide voted to sanction the county after inspections revealed persistent problems at the Barry J. Nidorf detention Hall in Sylmar. A memo released on the oversight agency’s website stated that L.A. County was out of compliance with basic safety standards—as recently as two days prior. Staff were found to be improperly deploying physical restraints.

Central Detention Hall (aka Eastlake Detention Hall, “Central”)

After inspections earlier this year revealed persistent problems at the Central Detention Hall in Boyle Heights. The California board that oversees conditions inside detention facilities statewide voted to sanction the county. Problems included failing to ensure that inmates receive adequate health care, failing to monitor psychotropic medications, and failing to follow rules about how long to confine inmates alone in their rooms.

Los Padrinos Detention Hall

Security issues, low morale among staff, and falling population levels have plagued Los Padrinos Detention Hall. Opened in 1957, Los Padrinos houses hundreds of male and female at any given time, with most defendants awaiting court action or transfer to another facility. Los Padrinos has been extensively criticized in the past, including for high incidents of depression among the population and suicides. More recently, six detention officers were for assaulting female inmates with pepper spray.

San Diego Detention Hall Facilities

Ranch Facility (JRF)

With two primary drug facilities, including Rancho del Campo and Rancho del Rayo, the Ranch Facility (JRF) features dorms that resemble army barracks in a forest-type setting.

Female Rehabilitation Facility (GRF)

The Female Rehabilitation Facility (GRF) provides services for females, targeting medium to high-risk female inmates with clear delinquent offenses.

Kearny Mesa Detention Facility (KMJDF)

Located in San Diego’s Birdland suburbs, Kearny Mesa Detention Facility (KMJDF) has housed inmates since 1954 and features a maximum capacity of 359.

East Mesa Detention Facility (EMJDF)

Located north of Brown Field in Otay Mesa, the East Mesa Detention Facility (EMJDF) opened for operation in June 2004 and features a maximum capacity of 290.

Urban Camp (UC)

Located in San Diego’s Birdland suburbs, the Urban Camp (UC) residents fulfill a commitment of between 85 and 120 days within four distinct programs to learn the training and skills necessary for successful rehabilitation.

Court documents filed disclose that supervisors at these active and closed detention camps ignored unchecked assault, rape, and sexual harassment of inmates by probation officers in what should have been safe environments.

"Vulnerable inmates often enter the system because of abuse they have suffered at home or on the streets," said one prosecuting attorney.

"The probation system should offer these offenders restorative justice instead of perpetuating their cycle of abuse.

“The criminal conduct of those who used their positions of authority to sexually assault these inmates must be exposed.

“These despicable people and those who enabled them must be held accountable."

News stories–plus state and county reports–outline over 20 years of criminal acts that include:

-Sexual contact between officers and inmates;

-Officers accused of criminal acts such as theft;

-Probation officers encouraging fights;

-A variety of other offenses were committed while on duty. 

There have been accusations of sexual assault have been reported by victims against their supposed mentors, as well as criminal charges in connection with guards’ improper use of pepper spray.

Filed in December of 2022, a  359-page lawsuit details allegations of systemic failures and horrific scenes of sexual abuse that lawyers say went unchecked by the L.A. County Probation Department, which operates the camps and halls.

The Shield Justice Watch team believes sexual abuse victims from active and closed detention facilities in California should receive justice and compensation for losses.