Sarah Ford
Federal judge orders extension of settlement agreement addressing abusive conditions at Mississippi youth facility
A federal judge has held Hinds County, Miss., officials in contempt of court for failing to comply with a 2012 settlement agreement addressing abusive conditions at the Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center, the SPLC announced today.
The judge extended the agreement Friday by two years to allow more time for officials to comply with it. The SPLC requested the extension, which will now run through March 28, 2016.
“The court’s decision is an important step to ensure the safety and well-being of the more than 300 children who pass through Henley-Young each year,” said SPLC Staff Attorney Corrie Cockrell. “We will continue to work with Hinds County officials to improve conditions in the facility for these children.”
The SPLC filed a federal class action lawsuit against Hinds County in June 2011 after finding children were being denied mental health services and subjected to verbal abuse and threats of physical harm by staff members at the facility in Jackson. The children were forced to stay in small cells for 20 to 23 hours every day with little human contact, exercise or access to education and rehabilitation programs.
Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox
Explore More Articles
Corporate Volunteering: The Business Case for an Employee Volunteer Program
Corporate volunteering has evolved well beyond the occasional company service day. A well-designed employee volunteer program can strengthen employee engagement, reinforce company culture, develop leadership skills,…
Environmental Awareness Month
Every September, environmental organizations around the Nation come together in recognition of Environmental Awareness Month, with a goal to raise awareness about environmental issues that…
Join Feeding America and Take Action During Hunger Action Month
No one should have to go hungry in the richest country in the world — yet millions of Americans don’t have enough to eat. Our…
Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox
Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.
