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Sen. Luis Sepúlveda says Horizon juvenile center is overcrowded and unsafe after June riot
Summary
Sen. Luis Sepúlveda described deteriorated conditions, overcrowding beyond the center's 121 capacity, and a June incident in which 12 people were injured; he urged investigations and follow-up by ACS, the mayor and the commissioner.
Sen. Luis Sepúlveda (District 32) told Diálogo Abierto that he and a delegation of legislators visited the Horizon juvenile correctional center in the Bronx after a June incident in which 12 people were injured.
"Estuve... las paredes deterioradas, los estudiantes en un área pequeña, supuestamente no debe de tener más de 121 personas y tienen mucho más que eso," Sepúlveda said, describing overcrowding and structural deterioration he observed during the visit. He said many adolescents at the facility have mental-health needs and that the environment was not conducive to rehabilitation.
Sepúlveda recounted that during the June incident a youth obtained access to keys that opened doors to other units and that the facility, which he said is "vieja," lacks modern locking systems. He warned that such conditions could lead to severe injury or death and said that is not an acceptable excuse: "tienen que hacer todo lo posible porque esto puede causar una muerte, una herida bien severa a los adolescentes que están ahí."
On the program he said facility staff told legislators they have sexual-abuse reporting mechanisms (hotlines and in-house advisors) and that the facility claims to be taking steps to prevent abuse, but Sepúlveda said more work is needed and that legislators did not see the same volume of complaints seen previously. He said elected officials are asking for formal investigations and are urging the commissioner and the mayor to follow up; he also said city officials had promised to send personnel to assist.
Host narration provided background facts: the Horizon center opened in 1998, is operated by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and is located on Brook Avenue near East 149th Street between Melrose and Mott Haven. The facility’s capacity is 121, but Sepúlveda and other legislators said it currently houses about 150 youths. The delegation’s visit took place on July 20, 2026.
No formal corrective actions or outcomes were announced during the broadcast; Sepúlveda said legislators are requesting investigations and follow-up.
