MARYLAND — A new state watchdog report is raising serious concerns about the conditions inside Maryland’s youth detention centers, including allegations of abuse, neglect, and unsafe environments — particularly inside Baltimore City’s facilities.
According to the Maryland Office of the Correctional Ombudsman, unannounced inspections revealed what investigators described as “unsanitary, unhygienic and uncomfortable living conditions” across multiple juvenile detention centers.
ALSO READ | Juvenile crime data shows increase in felony charges in Baltimore
The report documents photos of expired food, graffiti-lined walls, disheveled beds and bathrooms, and youth wearing shoes with holes in them. While the issues were found statewide, inspectors said some of the most alarming conditions were uncovered in Baltimore City.
Investigators reported a rodent infestation so severe that youth told inspectors they placed towels under their cell doors at night to keep mice out. During the summer, investigators also say air conditioning units weren’t working and the kitchen underwent extensive repairs, leading to a week of cold meals being served.
Investigators went on to cite “chronic staffing shortages”, saying staff are often drafted to work double shifts. According to the report, youth claim staff regularly take the stress out on them in the form of verbal abuse, unnecessary physical restraints, and early lock-ins without cause. They also reported “inconsistent and at times neglectful medical care.”
One of the most serious allegations involved a disabled youth housed in the infirmary. “During one monitoring visit, a paraplegic youth housed in the infirmary was upset because he was left sitting in his own waste (urine and feces),” the report states, noting that no assistance was provided until a formal complaint was filed.
“I was disgusted and so disturbed,” said Del. Lauren Arikan, who sits on the House Judiciary Committee, “Someone needs to be fired for some of these situations. Whoever was in charge of keeping the health and safety of the young man who was paraplegic, whoever was in charge of that, that person should no longer be working really anywhere in the state of Maryland, but certainly not around children.”
Last summer, Gov. Wes Moore appointed a new acting secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services, Betsy Fox-Tolentino. Since then, at least three top officials overseeing youth care have been fired, including the Deputy Secretary of Residential Services, the Executive Director of Residential Services, and the Director of Behavioral Health.
“Many of the issues in the report are issues we identified very early on,” Fox-Tolentino said in an interview with FOX45 News. “We have been making active change, and we are seeing progress.”
The findings span from July through September of last year — the first three months of Fox-Tolentino’s tenure. She said, since then, the department has increased oversight of food and medical services, provided additional clothing and shoes for youth, and expanded pest control efforts.
“All those issues we are actively mitigating,” she said.
However, Fox-Tolentino could not confirm whether rodents have been fully eradicated from all facilities or if any additional staff have been removed or reprimanded. She also said 50 new positions have been created to alleviate staffing pressures, but couldn’t say how many of those positions have actually been filled.
“We are always filling positions,” she said. “As we have vacancies, we fill more. But we have 50 new positions that are allowing us to hire additional assistance.”
Arikan is among those arguing the changes aren’t happening fast enough and is now calling on the governor to step in. “It seems like we were all hoping that she would really hit the ground running,” Arikan said. “With the updates to this report, I’m not sure that is the message that we’re getting.”
She added, “This falls on the governor’s lap at the end of the day. He did replace Schiraldi, but, some of these issues are emergent medical issues. These are very severe allegations that deserve, really, the governor’s full attention on them until they’re remedied.”
When asked who should be held responsible, Fox-Tolentino said, ultimately, fixing the system falls on her shoulders.
“It’s my job and my responsibility to make sure that we have facilities that are safe, secure, and our frontline staff are equipped to give our young people what they need, and we’re doing that,” she said. “We are building on a foundation to create better facilities.”
FOX45 News reached out to Governor Moore’s office for comment on the report, but a spokesperson declined to respond.
Local Story
