L.A. County sets date for Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall closure

Photo courtesy Richard Ross/Juveniles in Justice

DOWNEY — Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, plagued by security issues, low morale among staff, and falling population levels, will close July 27.

The shutdown date was included in the L.A. County Probation Department’s quarterly report, which was released to the public Monday.

“I recognize the exemplary work the staff has done at Los Padrinos over the decades, and this closure is in no way a reflection on their dedication to assisting the youth in our care to become healthy, productive members of our society,” Chief Probation officer Terri McDonald wrote in the report.

“The downsizing of the juvenile detention system in Los Angeles demonstrates a commitment to keeping youth out of the criminal justice system. This closure, while understandably difficult for our employees, should be celebrated as us continuing to move in the right direction.”

A February 2019 report by the L.A. County Office of Inspector General found that detention staff at Los Padrinos feared for their safety and “consistently reported feeling outnumbered and overpowered by youth.”

In April, five Los Padrinos staff members were criminally charged for illegally using pepper spray on five teenage girls.

Shelia Mitchell, chief deputy for juvenile services, said closing Los Padrinos “will move us closer to our goal of making the remaining facilities true centers of excellence for juvenile rehabilitation, ultimately employing the L.A. Model’s trauma-informed, child-centered approach.”

Without revealing numbers, the quarterly report cited “historic lows” at juvenile facilities.

“It is neither cost effective nor a good use of public funds to operate a juvenile detention hall with low populations,” the report said.

Existing staff at Los Padrinos will be transferred to other facilities or trained for new job opportunities, officials said.

Opened in 1957, Los Padrinos houses hundreds of boys and girls at any given time. Most of the juvenile defendants are awaiting court action or transfer to another facility.

The Downey Patriot reported in May that L.A. County officials planned to close the juvenile hall. It’s unclear what the county intends to do with the property, which sits on the western edge of the city near Los Amigos Golf Course.