Probation Department Responds to OIG Report and Issues Statement on Employee Arrested For Sexual Activity with Detained Youth

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Probation Department March 8 received and reviewed the recent report issued by the Office of the Inspector General or OIG regarding the escape on Nov. 4, 2023, from Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall or LPJH. 

The OIG recommendations are currently under review. Some actions have already been taken and other efforts are underway as highlighted in the OIG’s report, including:

On Nov. 8, 2023, the probation department installed razor wire on the entire west perimeter wall and about a quarter of the northwest perimeter wall. The department installed razor wire on the remaining facility walls on Dec. 11, 2023.

The probation department referred at least one staff member to its internal affairs bureau to investigate policy violations.

LPJH supervisors plan to facilitate periodic classification reviews based on highlighted criteria, such as relative sophistication (social maturity and gang involvement), criminal sophistication, special handling codes (escape, suicidal, dangerous, etc.) and public safety considerations, to consider the level of supervision of the youths.  

To address the staffing concerns raised in the report, the department is implementing the following emergency staffing changes:

Deputy probation officers assigned to field operations will be reassigned to Barry J. Nidorf or Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in 60-day increments.

Staff will be reassigned in groups of 50, at a minimum, to Barry J. Nidorf and 200, at a minimum to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

Deployed staff will attend all necessary and required trainings prior to their deployment.

In addition, the department will reassign sworn managers to both facilities as follows:

Directors and assistant directors will be reassigned to Barry J. Nidorf and Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall for a period of 90 days to assist with BSCC Title 15 compliance, facility operations and support staff assigned to the living units.

Managers will attend all necessary and required training prior to deployment.

The department noted its aim is for these changes to allow for effective operation of its juvenile facilities, protect the community from public safety risks and to tighten its security protocols going forward.

The department said it understands the potential impact to field operations as it shifts field staff to its juvenile institutions and remains engaged in balancing the demands of the juvenile hall and institutions with those of the adult and juvenile field probation programs.  In recognizing the unique needs and vulnerabilities of both populations the department continues to implement strategic measures to ensure equitable attention and resources.  

In other probation department news:

Probation Department Issues Statement on Employee Arrested For Sexual Activity with Detained Youth

LOS ANGELES — On March 7, 2024, during an investigation being conducted by investigators with the Los Angeles County Probation Department’s juvenile safety and welfare task force into a phone recovered from a youth housed at Dorothy Kirby Center, the department’s chief safety and security officer became aware of a sexual relationship involving an on-duty female probation officer with a male youth detainee. 

Information supported by a warrant led investigators to communications between the detained youth and probation officer. Some of these communications appeared to have occurred while the employee was at work and there were photos that are sexual in nature.

When investigators spoke with the employee, she gave statements that corroborated information which confirmed that the observed communications were with her. In addition, during the investigation, a cellular phone as well as a prescription pill container with different types of pills in varying quantities was found on the employee and inside her personal bag.

The task force took swift action.

The employee was arrested and charged with: 

• 288.4 PC – Arranging a meeting with a minor for lewd purpose
• 289.6 PC – Sex with an inmate
• 4575 PC – Unauthorized possession of a wireless communication device or any device capable of recording audio and/or video, within any secured area of a custody services division facility
• 4573.5 PC – Bringing contraband into a jail

Pending the completion of the task force investigation, this case will be referred to the Justice System Integrity Division of the LA County District Attorney.