PJLC Presses for Closure of Los Angeles’ Last Remaining Juvenile Hall

Los Angeles County’s juvenile detention system remains in crisis, and the Peace and Justice Law Center (PJLC) is pressing county and state leaders to stop relying on Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall as conditions continue to deteriorate. PJLC’s advocacy during this period focused on reducing harm to youth by shrinking the detained population and accelerating the shift toward safer, lawful alternatives.

Earlier in 2024, the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) found Los Padrinos unsuitable for youth confinement after identifying serious violations tied to staffing shortages and safety failures. Although the BSCC later reversed that determination after the county reported short-term improvements, reporting in late spring and early summer made clear that the underlying problems remained unresolved.

During this time, PJLC Co-Executive Director Sean Garcia-Leys spoke publicly about what was driving the ongoing crisis. He pointed to the collapse of Los Angeles County’s promised transition away from large juvenile detention facilities and toward a “reimagined” youth justice system. As Garcia-Leys explained in contemporaneous coverage, the county shut down facilities faster than it built out community-based alternatives or staffing capacity, leaving Los Padrinos to absorb youth without the resources needed to do so safely.

PJLC used this moment to underscore that safety cannot be achieved through temporary fixes or paper compliance. Without meaningful population reductions and sustained investment in alternatives to detention, youth and staff remain at risk. PJLC continues to push for a plan that moves young people out of Los Padrinos and into settings that prioritize stability, family connection, and long-term success.

Why a ‘reimagined’ detention system for juveniles has stalled in LA County