Dallas County juvenile justice officials held a press conference on Wednesday to address allegations of poor conditions at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center. They denied claims that detainees are subjected to inhumane treatment, including being held in cells for up to 23 hours a day.
Darryl Beatty, the executive director, said the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) cleared the facility in an audit last September. He acknowledged a staffing shortage but said they ensure time out of cells “in creative ways” while prioritizing safety.
This comes after media reports and community concerns raised issues like limited outdoor time, infrequent showers, and uncleanliness. Beatty says they addressed these concerns after a summer 2023 TJJD inspection which identified some problems.
However, Dallas Morning News reports obtained TJJD audits showing a more complex picture. While the September 2023 audit showed compliance, a prior summer audit found numerous issues including improper seclusion and inadequate monitoring of suicidal youth. A March 2024 audit identified some remaining problems with suicide watch procedures.
County Judge Clay Jenkins expressed concerns about a lack of transparency. He says the county requested records but juvenile justice officials resisted. He also questioned the practice of detaining youth for minor offenses.
Community advocate Rev. Michael Waters said the press conference did not address their concerns and called for the release of requested documents. He accused officials of being either unaware or deliberately deceptive about the situation.
