MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The latest report from a Juvenile Court consultant says the high number of children coming into the court has made reform slow.
“It’s the third oldest court in the nation. You can’t turn a ship that quickly,” Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael said.
He says his staff has worked hard at making improvements.
In an assessment of the detention facility, one consultant writes progress is being made in keeping children safe, but uncertainty with the recent election and more kids being sent to juvenile slowed reform and progress can’t be made until that changes or more staff is hired.
It says otherwise unnecessary force and suicides will exist at the court.
“We have not had a suicide in our detention center since 1973,” Michael said.
He says the court had been short-staffed because of a hiring freeze, but now that has been corrected.
These regular court assessments are part of a lawsuit agreement over serious problems at Juvenile Court, particularly with African-American children, who were found to be over-represented and discriminated against .
The latest assessment says even though programs exist to reduce transports to juvenile, more minorities continue to be sent there for minor offenses and a high number of African-Americans were then transferred to adult court.
“We don’t advertise for children. We aren’t campaigning. These children are brought to us by police and the Sheriff’s Department,” Michael said. “My magistrates are not making decisions based on race, period end of sentence. This is an independent monitor who has said this to us three times. ”
Michael gave his court an overall B-plus for being in compliance.
“We are focused. We are looking at the problem, we are working on the problem and we are continuing to solve those problems,” Michael said.
A third assessment looking at the equality in the legal side of Juvenile Court is also expected to be released soon.
The public forum on all these findings will be held January 28, 2015, at the Benjamin Hooks Central Library on Poplar Avenue from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
There will be chance for questions and answers.
