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Board asks probation to brief public after judge is set to consider depopulation plan for Los Padrinos
Summary
Supervisors directed the chief probation officer to present the department's depopulation plan publicly after the superior court reviews it. The board sought transparency amid community and oversight commission concerns about proposed moves of youth and program impacts.
The Board of Supervisors asked the county Probation Department to present, publicly before the board on June 3, the department's plan to depopulate Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall after the department submitted a plan to the court.
Supervisor Lindsay Horvath said the board needs a public briefing and an opportunity to hear answers from the chief probation officer about how relocations would affect youth, families, and community-based program providers. "It is crucial that probation communicate early and often with the public, with local cities and jurisdictions, with internal county stakeholders, and with the community based organizations that provide much of the programming services for our young people," she said.
The depopulation plan submitted to the court proposes facility changes that also mirror elements of the broader "global plan," including moving girls into Camp Kilpatrick and reassigning populations among Barry J. Nidorf, Sylmar, and other county sites. Supervisors and community groups voiced concerns about transfers that would separate youth from family, place girls in facilities built for boys, and potentially reintroduce unsuitability at other sites if staffing is not adequate.
Supervisor Janice Hahn said the judge will decide whether to approve the plan on May 16, creating an urgent timeline. "After that decision happens, it's our responsibility to ensure that all details are thought through and questions answered about the plan," Hahn said.
The board passed the motion 5-0, requesting a probation presentation, public discussion, and engagement with the Probation Oversight Commission and community stakeholders. Supervisors said the goal is to ensure any depopulation measures are safe for youth and maintain access to programs provided by community-based organizations.
Ending: The board asked probation to present its plan publicly and to answer questions about staffing, program continuity, and impacts on youth and families at the June 3 meeting; the motion passed unanimously.
