/Hinds youth judge wants input on federal decree

Hinds youth judge wants input on federal decree

Disability Rights Mississippi and Mississippi Southern Poverty Law Center reached an agreement with Hinds County in March 2012 on behalf of the clients at the Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center, Jackson. The agreement requires Hinds County to address 70 areas of inadequacy, including education, safety, cleanliness, and mental-health services. After a federal judge declared the county in contempt, the order was renewed after attorneys representing the youths claimed that the county hadn’t complied with the original settlement. Judge William Skinner of the Hinds County Youth Court now claims that the consent decree is in violation of state law and hinders him from protecting the interests at Henley Young. Kelly G. Williams, youth court attorney, filed a complaint on April 15. It states that “Because they amended the Consent Decree,” there is now a direct dispute between the Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center (Hinds County Youth Court). According to Skinner, Hinds County officials do not have the legal authority or the right to release the youth from the detention facility without his consent. To comply with the consent decree in 2014, the county established a policy that no more than 32 children would be allowed to stay at the facility and that maximum confinement would not exceed 21 days. The attorneys for the plaintiffs argued that Skinner’s motion was too late and that the judge is trying to claim legal rights he doesn’t have. The consent decree does not name Skinner or Hinds County Youth Court as parties. Joi Owens (Managing attorney for Disability Rights Mississippi) stated that Judge Skinner has not sought to be involved in the matter as a party. We all agree that Henley-Young is better equipped to provide the services the children require if there is a proper staff/resident ratio, and the youth are not placed in the facility on a long-term basis. Although we still have some way to go, the parties seem to be on the same page and moving in the right direction. We are working to provide better services to the youth.” Friday’s calls to Williams and the Hinds County Board of Supervisors for comment on this story were not returned Friday afternoon.