Court study finds practices at youth prisons concerning

A commission formed by the Supreme Court to review two juvenile justice facilities in the state has found troubling practices.

The Adjudicated Juvenile Rehabilitation Review Commission was created by the court in 2011 initially to investigate the death of Benjamin Hill, a 15 year old who was found dead in his cell at the West Virginia Industrial Home for Youth, in Salem in February 2009.  

After initially finding concerning practices, the commission began monitoring activities at both the Industrial Home For Youth in Salem and the Kenneth “Honey” Rubenstein Center, in Davis.

The commission released a report Monday evening highlighting several of its findings including:

-Corrections officers covered some cell windows with black paper, prohibiting residents from seeing outside and restricting natural light.

-Most psychiatric services were provided to the children through video conference.

-Residents’ cells were cold and were furnished with thin mattresses and blankets.

-Residents were prohibited from talking during meal time and had very limited peer interaction.

-Residents were given limited shower time (less than ten minutes).

-Questionable quality and quantity of food. Many residents complained of being hungry.

-Residents had limited access to vocational and academic services.

“The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals is committed to a juvenile justice system which promotes effective interventions and enhances the likelihood of rehabilitation for those children involved in delinquent behavior,” state Supreme Court Justice Margaret Workman, who headed the commission, said in a news release. “This report now gives the commission a framework to continue its mission to encourage systematic changes.”

Monday’s report comes on the heals of a judges ruling that the Salem home be permanently closed.

The investigation into Hill’s death was unable to uncover a cause of death, mostly because the body was cremated.

“With the information available, a positive cause of death could neither be determined nor confirmed,” according to the report. “It can be safely concluded that procedures were not followed. Regular and timely resident checks were not conducted as specified by policy.

During the investigation, the Supreme Court appointed monitors to periodically visit Salem and the Rubenstein Center and report back to the court with their own findings.

In the report, the commission stated its desire to employ a full-time, knowledgeable professional to continue monitoring, researching, and presenting their findings as the court digs deeper into the state’s juvenile justice facilities.