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Probation officials report lower juvenile population at Los Padrinos, outline staffing and recruitment steps
Summary
Probation leaders told the Board of Supervisors the Los Padrinos juvenile hall population has fallen to 232 and described 24/7 operations during the fires, recruitment incentives, and a plan to shift classifications to improve staffing and treatment capacity.
Los Angeles County probation leaders told the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday that juvenile custody populations have fallen and that the department has activated a 24-hour Department Operations Center to manage facility safety and welfare during the January windstorms and fires.
The department reported that Los Padrinos' population was 232 at the time of the briefing, down from previous higher levels. Probation officials said they stood up continuous operations beginning Jan. 8 and coordinated closely with the Office of Emergency Management, public health and mental‑health partners to ensure youth welfare as the wildfires and evacuations unfolded.
Why it matters: The status of Los Padrinos has been under scrutiny after a Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) inspection. Department leaders told supervisors they were using depopulation, alternative custody options and enhanced recruitment to stabilize the facilities while continuing to serve youth in custody.
Key updates provided to the board - Population and legal status: Probation reported Los Padrinos and other juvenile facilities were operating with reduced populations; Los Padrinos counted 232 youth. A court matter is pending regarding the facility and the department has filed an appeal with the BSCC regarding recent findings. - Emergency operations: Department Operations Center (DOC) has been operating 24/7 since Jan. 8 and processed requests for protective equipment (masks, air purifiers, protective eyewear), adjusted programming to indoor spaces when air quality required it, and coordinated visitation logistics. - Staffing and recruitment measures: • Standby/notification system to reduce ad hoc overtime and improve shift reliability; implementation notice issued to unions with an effective date of Feb. 1. • Lateral-hire incentive: a $24,000 incentive for lateral deputy probation hires from other counties to accelerate hires who can be deployed without academy training. • DPO 1 (entry-level deputy probation officer) open competitive exam posted previously; 1,385 applicants applied, with 863 external candidates deemed qualified and 179 internal candidates accepted. • DPO2 treatment and counseling classification: a specialized recruitment drive to recruit officers with counseling credentials; 89 positions planned and 36 eligible candidates currently on list (30 external, 6 internal). - Operational lessons and welfare: Officials emphasized that evacuation was considered but not ordered for juvenile facilities; staying in place was assessed as safer than moving youth during the fire conditions. Officials also praised the youth and staff for cooperative behavior amid stress.
Chiefs and staff at the briefing Chief Probation leadership framed the department's response as centered on youth welfare, safety and continuity of services. "These are young people that were under tremendous stress and yet they really were a key for us to be able to respond and keep them safe," Chief Guillermo Viera told the board, crediting staff and partner agencies for coordinated care during the incident.
Chief Assistant operations staff added that programming (school and recreation) was moved indoors and that medical and mental-health supports remained available on site. Chief Deputy Williams outlined the recruitment pipeline, described steps to convert classifications and expand candidate pools, and said notices were shared with staff and unions in early January.
Board questions and next steps Supervisors pressed for clarity on communication with families, contingent evacuation plans, and the sustainability of recent staffing gains. The department said it would return with further detail on depopulation strategies, alternative community placements and a facilities plan that the board expects to see in February.
Formal action The board received and filed the probation report. Supervisors thanked probation staff for their work during the fires and asked for follow-up information on family outreach and the department's ongoing appeal and compliance work with the BSCC.
Ending note Probation leaders described a multi-pronged approach: continued population management, a new mix of recruitment incentives and classification adjustments, and close interagency coordination to keep young people and staff safe while addressing longer-term staffing and compliance challenges.
