Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Los Padrinos opened in 1957 as the second oldest juvenile detention facility in Los Angeles County. Children are housed there while awaiting court action or transfer to another probation facility such as juvenile camp, placement or a commitment at the California Youth Authority.

For many years, Los Padrinos earned a reputation as a overcrowded facility with buildings in need of repair. Los Padrinos used to have too more children than beds. Last year it had only 56 beds.

However at a estimated cost of 36 million dollars, two new housing unit structures have recently been built. Each new housing unit will accommodate 120 beds for a total bed capacity of 240 beds. Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall is located at 7285 Quill Drive in the City of Downey. Visiting hours at juvenile hall are on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 pm.

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

(Note: Many Los Angeles Juvenile Judges have erroneously advised parents that the L.A. County Probation Department has cancelled visitation at juvenile hall on the days your child has court. As recently as April 29, 2005, the newly appointed Chief Probation Officer Paul Higa indicated to Mr. Kita that Juvenile Halls in L.A. County will shall remain open for visits on the days your child has court. Mr. Higa indicated he would be sending a memo to all Los Angeles County Juvenile Judges clarifying the visiting hours. On May 10, 2005 the Probation Department issued After Court Visitation in Juvenile Halls Probation Directive #1434 which states as follows, "Effective immediately, after court visitation will be available at all juvenile halls from the time minors are returned from court until 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visits may last up to one hour.")

Visiting Rules at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Los Padrinos Juvenile hall only allows parents or legal guardians to visit. Visitation is on Saturdays from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

On the day your child has court, the Los Angeles County Probation Department authorizes parents to visits their child at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall from the time children are returned from court until 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday for up to one hour.

There is a dress code. Visitors cannot wear sexy revealing clothes. No Transparent (see-through outfits.) Tight fitting clothes for women is not allowed. No short skirts or dresses (higher than mid thigh), no halter tops, low cut tops or clothes with gang words or signs. Also no clothing that exposes the mid section of the stomach.

No White T-shirts as outer wear. No sandals or slippers. Shoes is required at all times. Shoes may not have heels higher than two inches.

Among the many reasons for the appropriate dress code at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall is to maintain order, respect and the fact that the actual visits occur at a place of worship in the Chappel.

The following items are prohibited , and will result in either no visitation or termination of a visit:

Pens, pencils, markers, paperclips, scissors, rulers, tweezers, pointers, lazer pointers, money wallets, backpacks or fanny packs, purses, cellular phones or pagers, cameras, radios, electronic devices, pocket knives or box cutters, cigarettes or pipes, lighters or matches, alcoholic beverages, chewing gum, unauthorized and/or illegal drugs, mouthwash, toothpaste or toothbrushes, glass or metal containers, firearms or any item build for the purpose of propelling an object, ammunition, OC spray, handcuffs, handcuff keys, or any object that can be used as a weapon.

If your child requires orthopedic shoes, they can only be accepted if the medical green slip or Court Order is current and presented with the shoes. These type of shoes are to be left at the entrance of the facility for verifications. Parents, guardians, or grandparents are not allowed to take such shoes into the facility. Once verifiction is made, the shoes will be sent to your child's unit or dorm. If the shoes are unathorized, the shoes shall be placed in your child's personal property.

A signed and dated receipt shall be issued to the parents at the time the orthopedic shoes are received from the parent acknowleding the County Shall not take responsibility for lost shoes.

According to a memo issued by the Detention Services Bureau dated November 27, 2007, all persons and items entering Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall are subject to search. The probation department may unitlize vapor tracer units, and narcotic detection canines to search for controlled substances. Those entering through a metal detector shall be subject to a wand search if the metal detector buzzes.

Visits may be curtailed or postponed based on safety and security of Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. This decision shall be made by a Probation Director only.

In order to enter Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, all visitors must bring a current government issued picture identification card. Acceptable forms of identification include: valid drivers license with photo, valid state identification card, Passport with photo, Military identifcation card with photo, photo identification issued by INS, Certificado de Matricula Consular identification cards, (honored for only 60 days from the date of issuance.) The Officer of the Day , Acting Director, or a Director can approve questionable identifcations. Photocopied, non-picture, altered, laminated or expired identifcations will not be accepted.

Visitors suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or a drugs shall be denied entrance.

Visitors may only bring two keys on a key ring with no attachments, and their identification into Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Keys must remain in the visitors's pocket or on their lap during visits andmay not be placed on the table or in the minor's hands.

Visitors with extensive tattooing that cannot be covered with clothing (on face or neck) shall be escorted to an appropriate location for visiting.

Visitors with disabilities who have wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, or other medically necessary equipment shall be escorted to an appropriate location for visiting.

Please note that there are no provisions for childcare at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall and children may not be left unattended.

Visitors are not allowed to walk about during the visit. If you leave the visiting area, your visit may be terminated.

Brothers, sisters and other family members who are under the age of 21 are not allowed unless authorized by a Court Order or the child's Deputy Probation Officer. If approved, they may only visit one time.

Parents, guardians and grandparents are encouraged to visit the Family Resource Center which is located at each Juvenile Hall. The Family Resource Center provides a parenting workshop every Sunday morning from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at each Juvenile Hall. The Family Resource Center offers free informative brochures and booklets on family topics. The goal of the Family Resource Center is to connect mnors who are being released from Juvenile Hall with the resources that will assist them in successfully transitioning back into their communities and lead healthy productive lives.

Clergy Visits at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Limitation on amount of Paper & Envelopes
your child is allowed to possess at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Your child is only allowed 25 sheets of white or yellow paper, and 10 envelopes only. Los Padrinos Juvenile all staff will provide a pencil and put stamps on the mail.

Limitation on number of photographs your child is allowed to possess
at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Often times, parents, family members and others will send photographs to your child while he or she is at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Your child is not allowed more than five photos or pictures. The pictures should not show naked women, sex, drugs, weapons or gangs. They must be mailed and cannot be brought during visits.

Limitation on Religious items your child is allowed to possess at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Limitation on clothes your child is allowed to possess at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

While at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, your child is only allowed one t-shirt and sweatshirt, and one pair of underwear, pants, and socks. Any extra clothing will be taken away. Your child may get in trouble if he or she has extra clothes. Children generally wear white t-shirts and blue longpants during the summer. During the winter they wear gray long sleeve sweatshirts and blue long pants. They are also provided black canvas low cut converse shoes. The clothing is provided by Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

Glasses and contact lenses at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Your child may wear glasses or contact lenses and have a contact lens cleaner. You child must sign a paper acknowleging that Los Padrinos is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

Telephone use at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

1. Your child is entitled to reasonable access to a telephone while he or she is at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. (Chief Probation Officer Robert Taylor on May 1, 2008 recently issued "Telephone Calls In Juvenile Halls & Camp" Directive 1166 which states that minors shall receive one free telephone call per week except when safety and security are a concern. These calls are monitored by staff.)

3. There is no right to privacy at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall when using the telephone except when call his or her lawyer.

4. The Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall staff will allow your child to use a County line to call his or her Deputy Probation Officer or lawyer.

Daily Schedule at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Saturday and Sunday Schedule at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Special Handlng Unit (SHU) at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

You may have heard from your child or other minors at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall that if you get into trouble you will be going to the "Shoe." Most people have a confused look when they thought they heard something like a shoe.

The "SHU" stands for Special Handing Unit. If your child violates any of the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall rules, including but not limited to failure to follow staff direction, disruptive behavior, assaulting other minors, vandalism or other violations, he or she may be sent to the Special Handling Unit (SHU) at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. He or she can be kept in the SHU until he or she is ready to return to his or her unit.

Problems at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

After receiving numerous complaints by children, lawyers, and community leaders, the United States Attorney Generals Office initiated an investigation at all Juvenile Halls in Los Angeles County including Los Padrinos, Central and Sylmar Juvenile Halls. A special prosecutor and a team of experts assigned to the case visited Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in 2001 and found the facility "violated the constitutional and federal statutory rights of the youth residents."

Excessive use of pepper spray at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

The Department of Justice found that Juvenile Hall staff had been using Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray "excessively," and in situations where "such use of force were not necessary." This includes spraying handcuffed children, children with asthma, pregrant girls, suicidal children and children with special mental health needs.

Mental Health needs not met at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

It is estimated that approximately 50% of the children at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall have mental health issues. However, the majority of those who have such issues do no not get any mental health care. Approximately 75% of those in need of mental health care receive no such help at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

One thousand Los Angeles County Probation Officers failed to show up to work on September 27, 2005 to protest what they contend are dangerous working conditions and inadequate staffing at Los Angeles County Juvenile Halls and Camps. The Los Angeles County Probation Officers Union has sued the county alleging that the county's failure to meet minimum stated mandated staffing ratios has led to higher assaults at these juvenile detention facilities.

The United States Department of Justice, in a monitoring report dated October 4, 2005 confirmed that many of the problems at the Juvenile Halls in Los Angeles County are attributed to understaffing.

The National Juvenile Detention Association recommends a staffing ratio of one staff to every eight minors during day hours. The State of California mandates of minimum-staffing ratio of one staff member for every ten minors. Yet federal monitors found the staffing ratios to be one staff to sixteen minors at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

Of the three juvenile hall facilities in Los Angeles County, Los Padrinos reported the highest increase of youth on youth violence. Los Padrinos Juvenile hall reported 441 violent attacks for the first six months of 2005 as compared to 290 incidents during the same time period in 2004.

On July 1, 2008, a 16 year old Long Beach boy who hanged himself with bedsheets at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall was eventually pronounced dead after being in critical condition for six days.

The LA County Probation department reported that the child was in the Infirmary at Los Padrinos and was discovered by probation staff during a bed check. He was rushed to Downey Regional Medical Center and placed on a ventilator where he was placed on critical condition.

The probation department noted this is the first time in more than 20 years this has happend. It is unclear whether the minor had any mental health issues prior to entering Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

All children are given a mental health screening prior to their admission to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. The child was not considered high risk for depression during his intake at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

As part of the 2003 Department of Justice Investigation of Los Padrinos Juvenile hall, the County of Los Angeles agreed to take corrective action as part of a Justice Settlement Agreement.

Of the 52 provisions the County of Los Angeles was requested to correct, only 20 provisions (38%) are in compliance.

As of January 2007, Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall is still failing in the following areas according to the

Los Padrinos saw a 19% decrease in fights and a 39% decrease in Safe Crisis Management (formerly called Use of Force - Restraints) incidents for the first six months of 2007 as compared to the first six months of 2006. Thru donations, Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall has implemented the Incident Free Days program which provides incentives for children to display positive behavior. Units are rewarded with Candy Bars for 7 days with no incidents; Ice Cream for 14 days with no incidents; Movie Nights (complete with popcorn, drinks and a movie) for 21 days with no incidents and a Barbeque for a full month with no incidents. If you want to make a donation, please call Deputy Probation Officer and Program Coordinator Michelle Lucero at (562) 940-8772.

There is currently a new screening process that is being piloted at the three juvenile halls. They have a staff of neuropsychologists providing neuropsychological screening of the children. This screening will provide information relative to the neuropsychological reasons for the negative behavior by the minors. It is anticipated that the information obtained from this screening will translate into the implementation of diagnostic services for the youth detained in juvenile halls and camps. If funded in the future, this will provide not only screening and treatment for our children, but increased training for probation staff in dealing with those with mental health and delinquency issues.

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall to contract with Apple One to provide Clerical work

The Los Angeles County Board of Superivisors have given the Juvenile Probation Department approval to use Apple One to provide clerical services at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in place of permanent Juvenile Probation staff at an annual cost not to exceed $503,517.00. It is estimated to save the county $172,750.00 per year. All Probation Clerical Staff as of September 15, 2008 will be reassigned to other parts of the probation department.

The County of Los Angeles has given approval to spend $100,000 to hire the services of Interquest Detection Canines for a one year contract to search Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, Central Juvenile Hall and Sylmar Juvenile as well as the 19 juvenile probation camps thru out the County of Los Angeles.

Elizabeth Garcia has been promoted on April 1, 2009 to the position of Bureau Chief of the Detention Services Bureau. She formerly was the Superintendent of Central Juvenile Hall. She is not stationed at Los Padrinos Hall but rather at the Probation Headquarters on Imperial Highway. She takes over the position formerly held by Mr. Dennis Carroll. Her duties including supervising all detention locations including all Juvenile Halls and all Los Angeles Probation Camps. Mr. Caroll has because the new RTSB Bureua Chief.

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Administration (updated 12/10/07)

Cherryl Cooke is the lead superintendent in charge of all three juvenile halls in Los Angeles County. She oversees Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, Central Juvenile Hall, and Barry J. Nordoff Juvenile Hall in Sylmar. Ms. Cooke has been with the Los Angeles County Probation Department for nearly 30 years. She started as a clerk and worked her way up the ranks. Ms. Cooke is well respected by Probation Staff, and the minors situated in Juvenile Hall. Effective April 1, 2009, Ms. Cooke is also the Senior Manager of the Transporation Division.

She replaces former Lead Superintendent Dennis Carroll who was promoted to Detention Services Bureau Chief and is now the RTSB Bureau Chief.

Danny Aceves is second in command at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. He also ovesees the Excel/Program Services, Scheduling STC, Live Scan/ADA Liaison, 601 Liason, Medical Liason, Return to Work Liason, Transportation Liason and also supervises Movement and Control Officers of the Day which include A.M. Shift Officer A. Wilson., P.M. Shift Officer R. Hill, Unit C/D Intake SDSO T. Duvall, Medical Unit SDSO T . Duvall, Unit W. SDSO T. Duvall. Mr. Aceves took over the position from Gil Valeriano. Effective April 1, 2009, Mr. Aceves now has managerial responsibility for the Night Operations in addition to his duties as Assistant Superintendent.

Marvin McWhorter is the Division II Director at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. He is the Liason concerning Use of Force, Mental Health, Religious Services, Gender Specific, Hearing Impaired, Investigations, and Operation Read. Mr. McWhorter also oversees the following housing units at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall: Housing Unit J/K supervised by SDSO E. Collins, Girls SHU run by SDSO E. Collins, Unit X run by SDSO L. Fernandez, and Unit Y run by SDSO J. Peinado. As Division II Director, Mr. McWhorter also deals with officials from the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division who have been monitoring Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall for civil rights violations. Mr.McWhorter took over the position from Jeff Probasco who was relocated to Central Juvenile Hall as a Director.

Mr.McIsaac is the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Liason concerning Performance Evaluations, Inside-out Reading Program, School Liason, IDC/Court Liason, DNA Liason and Construction Liason. Mr. McIsaac also overses the following housing units at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall: Boys SHU run by SDSO D. Ellis, Unit E/F, run by SDSO H. Frierson, Unit R run by SDSO G. Pinchem, Unit S run by SDSO L. Martin, Unit T/Urun by SDSO S. Green. Mr. McIsaac takes over this position of Mc.McWhorter who is now Division II Director.

The night operations supervisor is in charge of Appraisal of Promotability and SHU Admin Reviews. This person also supervises the following Night Operations Officers of the Day: SDSO E. Nevares, SDSO K. Kenyatta, and SDSO D. Adams.

Mr. Ferguson is in charge of Supplies. He also oversees the following staff, Lydia Martinez, Office Manager, Barbara Alcorn, STC. p.m., S. Ruis/O. Luna Payroll and Personnel, J. Williams Speical Projects, T. Griffin, Crew Instructor, C. Pearce, Housekeeping, S. Franklin Laundry and O. Williamson Warehouse.

Mr. Valeriano was the Assistant Superintendent but was moved to this position to help Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall comply with the Department of Justice audits and to make sure progress is made concerning reforms in the Juvenile Halls.

Larry Burton is the Adminstrative Director of Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. He is in charge of many of the day to day functions.

Los Padrinos PAU School

Each month, Los Padrinos PAU school hosts a meeting for parents concerning your childs educational progress and about credits earned and graduation requirements. Also participating is Los Padrinos Staff, Probation and those who work in Mental Health. The meetings generally take place in the Chapel at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Contact the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall School Psychologist Estela Cornelius or Dr. LIen Truong, Assistant Principal at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall at (562) 803-6648 for more information.

Students earn 1 unit for every 16 days the student attends class. There are three semesters in a year. Students who are 17 years of age, behind in credits but showing acadmic promise may apply to take the GED while in custody at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. The GED is offered monthly.

School Transcripts from Los Padrinos PAU School

To get transcripts send information to Los Angeles County Office of Education, Student File Center, 9530 Imperial Highway, Suite 0, Downey, CA 90242. Information to send: (1) Name, (2) Date of Birth, (3) AKA, (4) Your phone number (5) Address or fax where transcripts are to be sent.

Los Padrinos School Liason

Rochelle Walker Musah is the School Court Liason at Los Padrinos Juvenile Court. She is located at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Court.

Antonio Gallardo and Gonzalo Perez are the union reps for Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. They represent the LA County Probation Officers Union Local 685. Governor Schwarzenegger is proposing a 10% cut in the budget from Probation and Camps. The Budget Conference Committee is currently evaluating the proposal.

Los Padrinos Juvenile Court

Los Padrinos Juvenile Court is located adjacent to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. It only has three court rooms that handle busy court room calenders. Department 250 is staffed by a Los Padrinos Juvenile commissioner. Department 251 is staffed by a Los Padrinos Juvenile commissioner and Department 252 is staffed by the Los Padrinos presiding Judge. The hours of operation at Los Padrinos Juvenile Court are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

Those entering Los Padrinos Juvenile Court are required to follow a dress code. No sunglasses,bandanas, tanks tops, hats or caps. No smoking or chewing tobacco. Wearing of any "gang" symbols or logos or gang attire as determined by Security and Sheriffs Personnel. No untucked shirts. No hair nets allowed. This is pursuant to a court order signed by the presiding judge on August 29, 2001.

Judge Phillip Mautino, Site Judge, Department 252. Judge Mautino graduated with an A.A. degree from Santa Monica College in 1959, a Bachelor of Science Degree from UCLA in 1962 and an M.B.A. from UCLA in 1963. He graduated from USC Law School in 1966 and from the California Judges College in 1993. He was appointed to the Los Cerritos Municipal Court in 1993 by Governor Pete Wilson and was elevaed to the Los Angeles County Superior Court thru Unification in 2000. Prior to becoming a Judge, he was a partner with Miller & Mautino from 1967 - 1981 and started his own law firm the Law Offices Of Philllip Mautino from 1982 - 1993. Judge Mautino is credited with raising money and organizing volunteers to paint many of the colorful murals at Los Padrinos Juvenile Court. He became the Supervising Judge at Los Padrinos Juvenile Court in 2001. He is 68 years old in 2008. He is a registered Republican and is married to his wife Barbara.

Commissioner Gary Polinsky, Department 251. Commissioner Polinsky graduated from UC Berkeley in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1962 and from the presitigious UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco in 1965. He worked as a Deputy Public Defender from 1966 - 1969, as a partner with Reichman & Polinsky from 1969 - 1972, and as a sole practitioner from 1972 - 1982. He served as a Juvenile Court referee from 1982 - 1983 and was elevated to Superior Court Commissioner from 1983 to the present. He is 67 years old in 2007. He is a registered Democrat and is married to his wife Nita. He was transferred from Sylmar Juvenile Court to Los Padrinos in 2005. He is considered one of the more experienced and knowledgable Juvenile Bench officers in Los Angeles County. (Commmissioner Polinsky recently retired in December 2007. His hard work and dedication to the Los Angeles Juvenile Court system has helped improve the quality of life for thousands of children. He is one of the few bench officers that dedicated his career in the Juvenile Court system. He will be missed by all.)

Commissioner Benjamin Campos, Department 250. Commissioner Campos graduated from Pitzer College in Claremont, California. He graduated from UCLA School of Law in 1980. He recently took over court room 250 from Comissioner Steff Padilla.

George Kita has successfully handled more than 1000 juvenile cases. He previously worked as a juvenile deputy district attorney. He has successfully represented children accused of juvenile crimes ranging from hate crimes, assault and battery, car theft, armed robbery, drug possession and sales, DUI, rape, robbery, molestation and murder.

Most criminal defense attorneys concentrate their practice on adult cases and rarely practice in juvenile court. Because of this, they often lack the experience to effectively represent children in juvenile court. Many of the rules and procedures in Juvenile Court are different than adult court. There is no right to a jury trial and there is no right to bail. Don't hire an inexperienced attorney. Your child's future is at stake.

Few attorneys have dedicated their practice to juvenile law. The Law Offices of George Kita is available for a FREE consultation for California Juvenile matters. You may call his offices at (626) 975-2080, toll free at 1-866-548-2529, or e-mail him at juvylawyer@aol.com.

Los Padrinos

Visiting Rules at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Clergy Visits at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Limitation on amount of Paper & Envelopes your child is allowed to possess at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Limitation on number of photographs your child is allowed to possess at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Limitation on Religious items your child is allowed to possess at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Limitation on clothes your child is allowed to possess at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Glasses and contact lenses at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Telephone use at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Daily Schedule at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Saturday and Sunday Schedule at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Special Handlng Unit (SHU) at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Problems at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Excessive use of pepper spray at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Mental Health needs not met at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall Administration (updated 12/10/07)

Los Padrinos PAU School

School Transcripts from Los Padrinos PAU School

Los Padrinos School Liason

Los Padrinos Juvenile Court

Limitation on amount of Paper & Envelopes
your child is allowed to possess at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

Limitation on number of photographs your child is allowed to possess
at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall