Central Juvenile Hall on Eastlake Avenue

Eastlake/ Central Juvenile Hall is located directly behind
Eastlake Juvenile Court.
Copyright 2004 -2007

The above photo is how Central Juvenile Court
looked prior to the new construction that finished in 2004. Althought it was named Central Juvenile Court, most people who worked in the juvenile court system simply called it Eastlake because of its location on Eastlake Avenue. When renovation and new construction was completed, the court was no longer called Central Juvenile Court but instead Eastlake Juvenile Court.
Copyright 2001-2007

Central Juvenile Hall on Eastlake Avenue

Central Juvenile Hall also known as "Eastlake" was the first juvenile detention facility established in 1912. Central Juvenile hall has a constant problem with overcrowding. In 1999, the Los Angeles County Grand Jury was very critical of Central Juvenile Hall and stated," We were both surprised and dismayed to see the apparent substandard condition of this facility." The grand jury reported that many of the day rooms had been converted to dormitories and several of the medical infirmary rooms where children are supposed to receive medical attention were closed because of earthquake damage and unsafe conditons. Because the grandjury found asbestos present, it is only logical to conclude that both juvenile hall staff and the children housed there were exposed to the deadly asbestos. In addition, the plumbing and steam sysems were found to be faulty and outdated. Six years later in 2004, construction and renovation has been done to upgrade the facilities. Central Juvenile Hall is one of three juvenile hall facilities in Los Angeles County. The juvenile hall is located directly behind Eastlake Juvenile Court.

Visiting Rules at Central Juvenile Hall

Central Juvenile hall only allows parents or legal guardians to visit. Visitation is on Saturdays from 1:00 p.m. 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 you may visit your child from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Parents will not be allowed to visit their child unless they bring proper identification such as a California Drivers License, or California Identification card or some other acceptable form of identification. There is a dress code. Visitors cannot wear sexy revealing clothes. Tight fitting clothes for women is not allowed. No short skirts, no halter tops, low cut tops or clothes with gang words or signs. No sandals or slippers. Shoes is required at all times. Visitors cannot bring back packs, medicine, pagers, cell phones, cigaretes, food or drinks, purses or handbags and radios.

Brothers, sisters and other family members may visit if the request is approved and arranged through your childs probation officer or unit supervisor. They may only visit one time. The Juvenile Court Judges will generally not approve of any special visits other than the two parents of the minors. The courts may change a visitor in lieu of a parent. The best way to arrange a special visit is to contact your chhilds probation officer or unit supervisor.

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

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

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

Often times, parents, family members and others will send photographs to your child. Your child is not allowed more than five photos or pictures. The pictures should not show nude 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 Central Juvenile Hall

Telephone use at Central Juvenile Hall

3. There is no right to privacy when using the telephone except when call his or her lawyer.

4. The Central 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 Central "Eastlake" Juvenile Hall

Special Handlng Unit (SHU) at Central Juvenile Hall

If your child violates any of the Central Juvenile Hall rules, he or she may be sent to the Special Handling Unit (SHU). He or she can be kept in the SHU until he or she is ready to return to his or her unit.

All Clergy visits must be approved by the Chaplan's Office. The phone numbers are (562) 940-8627, (323) 383-7032, (818) 367-8938 -24 hours exchange.

Ms. Pauline Wong is in charge of coordinating all testing schedules for children housed at Central Juvenile Hall. Ms. Wong can be reached at (562) 401-5455.

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

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.

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

Ms. Garcia was a Division II Director at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall before being transferred and promoted to Superintendent at Central Juvenile Hall in 2006.

While at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, Ms. Garcia was the Juvenile Hall Liason concerning Use of Force, Mental Health, Religious Services, Gender Specific, Hearing Impaired, Investigations, and Operation Read. While at Los Padrinos she dealt with officials from the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division who have been monitoring Central, Sylmar and Los Padrinos Juvenile Halls for civil rights violations. Her experience and background led to her being chosen as Superintendent at Central Juvenile Hall.

Ms. Heath serves as second in command at Central Juvenile Hall. She supervises the units that deal with new admits, releases, courts, hospitals, screenings, movements, MAYSI & orientation, police & attorney visits. She also supervises Boys Receiving.

Carol Williams oversees units E, F, MOU, G, H, K, L, M, and N. These units deal with camp returnees, new camp, new placements, and camp grads, Any HRO Status minos including PC 261- 269 - Overflow for non-HRO minors- Drug Court, overflow of pending fitness status minors, any minors admitted by Medical Staff - Temporary Housing for 12 year olds upon arrival to CJH and minors charged with murder and homicide and attempted homicide, Escape Risks. Before being transferred to Central Juvenile Hall in 2006, Ms Williams take over the position from Marvin McWhorter who transferred to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall as a Division III Director.

Ms. Fernandez supervises both the Boys SHU, Girls SHU, Alpah, Girls Care, and Boys Care. She oversees the Unfits, Administrative Holds, Pending Fitness Protective Custody, 12 & Under- MAYSI- Police and Attorney Visits, News 187 PC (per policy: 72 hour hold) , Behavior Adjustments, Court assigned, permanent residence, CYA returnees/commitments. She also oversees the Alpha Unit which is an open dorm setting for status minors with Directors' approval only. She oversees Boys and Girls Care that deal with Mentally and Emotionally Challenged Children.

Johnathan McIsaac is the Division IV Director that oversees units AB, CD, EF, GH, MO. Director Williams supervises the A unit that deal with females requiring Enchanced Supervision Unit (ESU). ESU is a specialized program for female minors requring specific needs either emotionally or psychologically. Unit B is generally female pregnant wards. Unit C is females 13 -14. Unit D, females 15- 16. Unit P and Unit Q are temporary housing for BOYS SHU during renovation old B/SHU Building. Unit R & S deal boys who are Camp Returnees - Escape Risks, PC 261- 269, Over Flow for non-HRO minors. Mr. McIsaac takes over the position from Elex Williams.

Ms. Clemons is in charge of night operations, Units J/O, Lathrop Hall. Lathrop is the Sleeper status building. Unit J is for boys 14 years of age. Unit J deals with over flow for Unit G/H. This is for any camp, placement, but no HRO status minors without Director approval. Unit O deals with Sleeper status building. 13 year old Boys are housed in Unit O.

Ms. Williams in in charge of Department of Justice projects, quality control, DSB training.

While children are in custody at Central Juvenile Hall, they attend 300 minutes of schooling each day. They receive one unit of credit for every 16 days they are in school. They receive two units for every 32 days in school. They receive three units for every 48 days they are in school. They receive 4 units for every 64 days they are in school and 5 units for every 80 days they are in school. Students can earn 90 days credit at Central Juvenile Hall instead of 60 or 70 at a regular school. Students must be in class to earn the credits. When transfering credits, the school must fax a request for school transcripts to Central Juvenile Hall. If the student is 18 years or older, he or she can make the request him or herself for the transcripts.

Students who (1) show high ability and is presently (2) 17 years of age and (3) behind in credits may request to take the GED.

The school teachers at Eastlake Juvenile Hall do reward good behavior. If your child is performing well at school in Eastlake Juvenile Hall, his or her school teacher will often give your child a good gram. Anything positive about your child should certainly be brought to the Eastlake Juvenile Court's attention. This gram is generally personally signed by your child's teacher.

Maida DeArmas is the school liason at Eastlake Juvenile Court. Her number is (213) 226-8500. Ms. DeArmas' job is to help the Eastlake Juvenile Court Judges verify attendance and school grades for children appearing before the court. Ms. DeArmas is very helpful for all attorneys appearing before the court. For students with unexcused absences and excessive tardies, the Eastlake Juvenile Deputy District Attorney can decide to set a probation violation hearing. The Eastlake Juvenile Court Judges and Eastlake Juvenile Court Commissioners and Referees place a very high importance on children attending school. For many children with delinquent cases, it possibly means the only way a child can feel hope to succeed in life. For children with very poor grades, the parents should consider hiring a private tutor three times a week, and to write to their child's school principal requesting an IEP assessment be done.

A childs progress in school can greatly affect the outcome of his or her Eastlake Juvenile Law case. Many California Juvenile Law Judges and Juvenile Deputy District Attorneys erroneously assume poor academic performance is caused by lack of effort by the child. Although that may be true with some children, more often than not, many students have a learning disability that will affect the childs grades. If your child has a learning disability, your child should not be punished for not getting the help he or she needs.

The burden, however, rests with the parents to requests the IEP assessment be done in writing to the principal. You can request a comprehensive assessment for special education services for your child under P.L. 94-142. Furthermore, your child can be assessed for eligibility and services under Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act. If your child is not making adequate educational progress, your child can be eligible for reasonable accomodations and special education services under Section 504. Your request for services should be made in writing.

In accordance with Sections 56321 (a) of the California Education Code, the School District will respond to this request within 15 calender days by forwarding to you an asssessment plan for your approval. Once the assessment is received by the School District with your approval, the assessment will commence and the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting will be convened within 50 calender days not counting school vacation days in excess of five days.

If your chilld is housed at Central Juvenile Hall, call former Juvenile Deputy District Attorney George Kita for a free consultation at (626) 975-2080.