D.C. Juvenile Jail Under Scrutiny Following Abuse Allegations and Lawsuits
The District of ColumbiaS Department of Youth and Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) is facing mounting criticism and legal challenges following a series of disturbing allegations of abuse and neglect at its Youth Services Center (YSC), the city’s juvenile detention facility. These revelations raise serious questions about the safety and well-being of young people entrusted to the care of the District.
A Pattern of Failures
recent events highlight a systemic failure to protect vulnerable youth. Kelvin Powell, a former YSC guard, was convicted in July of repeatedly sexually abusing a 17-year-old girl while she was under DYRS care. This conviction is not an isolated incident, but rather appears to be part of a troubling pattern.
Attorney A. Scott Bolden, representing the victim in the Powell case, stated, “It is clear by the fact that this happened over and over and over again that nobody was watching.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C. confirmed the assaults occurred over several months between late 2021 and early 2022.
Lawsuit Alleges Systemic Negligence
Bolden’s lawsuit alleges DYRS failed to adequately monitor surveillance footage. This failure allowed Powell to enter and exit the victim’s cell,and remove her from the unit – actions that reportedly violated DYRS policy. Moreover, the suit claims DYRS was aware of Powell’s history of sexual abuse.
When questioned about these allegations, DYRS offered a statement emphasizing its commitment to youth safety and accountability. However, the agency declined to address specific concerns raised by News4’s I-Team, and has repeatedly denied interview requests over recent weeks. This lack of clarity is fueling concerns about a cover-up.
Beyond Sexual Abuse: Physical Assaults and Vulnerable Populations
The allegations extend beyond sexual abuse. The I-Team recently spoke with the mothers of two other young people who allege their children were physically assaulted by other residents while at the YSC.
Chaya Covington’s son suffered a broken nose and damaged eye socket in a fight. she expressed her outrage, stating, ”Their job is to protect my child and keep him from harm. They failed at both of those things.”
Felicia Cooper’s daughter, a transgender youth, had her jaw broken in a fight while housed in the boys’ unit. Cooper fears her daughter will be victimized again.
Bolden now represents Cooper’s family as they consider legal action. He and co-counsel Bernadette Armand anticipate more families will come forward with similar stories.
What You Need to Know & How to Seek Help
If your child has experienced harm while in a D.C. juvenile facility, you are not alone. Bolden and Armand are urging anyone with relevant experiences to contact them.”We’re asking anyone who’s been hurt at a D.C. facility to reach out to us and contact us and let us know what your experience was,” Armand said.
The Core Issue: Ensuring Youth Safety
These cases underscore a basic failure to provide a safe environment for young people in the District’s care. As Bolden powerfully stated, D.C. owes these children “safety,a basic level of safety,being able to say that when your child is here,they will not have their face broken. They will not be sexually assaulted and raped by guards who are tasked with protecting them.”
The situation demands immediate and thorough reform within DYRS, including increased oversight, improved staff training, and a commitment to transparency. The future well-being of D.C.’s vulnerable youth depends on it.
Resources:
U.S. Attorney’s Office for D.C.: https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/former-dc-department-youth-rehabilitation-services-employee-found-guilty-sexually
Contact A.Scott Bolden’s office for legal consultation. (Contact data available through online search)
*Reported by Ted Oberg, produced by