Juvenile detention center denies charges by state commission

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A central Oklahoma juvenile detention center denies charges of mistreatment and abuse by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth. <br><br>The report released Wednesday by the

Thursday, October 17th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A central Oklahoma juvenile detention center denies charges of mistreatment and abuse by the Oklahoma Commission on Children and Youth.

The report released Wednesday by the commission was based on unannounced inspections in March and May at the Union City Detention Center, which holds youthful offenders from across the state.

The state Office of Juvenile Affairs and Avalon Correctional Services, the company that owns the center, contend that the charges are inaccurate.

Among the allegations by the commission, some residents complained that rules often changed without their knowledge and that staff sometimes cursed at them, hit them and punished them by making them do up to 100 push-ups.

Some residents also complained they were not allowed to have second helpings at meals, which is a violation of Department of Human Services standards.

Staffers also were accused of not properly treating juveniles with low IQ scores and failing to list IQ scores on seven residents' files.

Less than a week ago, the Board of Juvenile Affairs voted to eliminate Avalon's contract in a cost-cutting move. Juvenile affairs officials and Avalon, however, deny the commission's allegations.

Scott Williams, administrator at Union City, said in a written response that many of the incomplete or vague files cited by the commission were never identified to the company and that a review of resident files showed all residents' IQ scores were recorded.

Williams also stated that counselors and staff verbally explain rules, treatment plans and goals to its residents in case they don't understand written information given to them.

He said use of push-ups for discipline is no longer practiced, and when it was, it was no more than 15 push-ups.

The company did say it would immediately rectify any issues of profane language and that it has begun offering second helpings at meals.

The juvenile affairs office also questioned the report.

The commission alleged that a grievance box _ a secure box in which residents can place written grievances _ was left unlocked.

Resident interviews with the commission alleged that detention center staff had taken grievances out of the box and torn them up.

Juvenile affairs officials said the commission never verified the claim.

In letters to Avalon and the juvenile affairs office, commission officials say they stand by their report.