© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Disturbing New Videos Stress the Need For Change at Two Connecticut Juvenile Facilities

Office of the State Child Advocate
"Roberto" was confined to a padded cell after telling his mother he was suicidal. It was his fourth stint at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School.
What's striking about all of the incidents caught on video is the absence of clinical staff on the scene.

Connecticut's Office of the Child Advocate has released a follow up to their July report on conditions at the state's two juvenile detention centers. 

The addendum includes some corrections and clarifications to the July report, as well as comments from the Department of Children and Families, which oversees the Connecticut Juvenile Training School and the Pueblo Girl's Unit, in response to the OCA's original report.

A big part of the follow-up report is a suicidal behavioral chart, an in-depth look at the 55 suicide threats or attempts at two facilities during a 12-month period.

The incidents are strikingly similar. Every child who attempted or threatened suicide has significant mental health issues, like PTSD and bipolar disorder. Many reportedly have issues with drug and alcohol dependence.

The circumstances which led to the suicidal incidents also have some disturbing similarities. Most of the incidents started after a seemingly minor infraction that quickly escalated into a violent skirmish with line staff, and ended with unlawful restraints and hours of seclusion -- a protocol that caused further harm to the juvenile.

"In a therapeutic, trauma-informed environment, this would not have escalated to this point," said state child advocate Sarah Egan. "And you wouldn't be by yourself. You'd be with someone you have a relationship with, avoiding the escalation of incidents into what we have here."

The follow-up report also included some disturbing videos of some of these incidents, a mix of security cameras and video footage shot by staff members.

In one of the videos released Tuesday by the OCA, "Jennie," a girl detained at the Pueblo Girls Unit, accidentally entered a "no access" area and refused to return to her room.

After line staff tried several times to escort Jennie back to her room, she was suddenly and violently tackled and pushed to the floor in a prone position. After being restrained, Jennie was placed in an empty cell, where she took to a corner of the room not visible from the door, tied her shirt around her neck, and began to hang herself.

Staff eventually had to use a rescue hook to save the girl.

What's striking about all of the incidents caught on video is the absence of clinical staff on the scene when the incident occurred.

Chris Liddy, Chief Operating Officer of Advanced Trauma Solutions, and the mental health consultant for the OCA report, said that line staff should be better trained to handle and defuse these situations until clinical staff can intervene.

"What's critically important is that the line staff are equipped, that they are competent, and that they fully understand how to integrate these skills and concepts with the youth on the floor," said Liddy.

Following the OCA's report in July, DCF implemented a set of emergency measures to address many of the problems at CJTS and Pueblo, including adding more clinical staff at both facilities.

Ray Hardman is Connecticut Public’s Arts and Culture Reporter. He is the host of CPTV’s Emmy-nominated original series Where Art Thou? Listeners to Connecticut Public Radio may know Ray as the local voice of Morning Edition, and later of All Things Considered.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content