Justice Department settles with Terrebonne

The U.S. District Court of Eastern Louisiana has entered a revised settlement agreement between the United States Department of Justice and Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government.

The case stems back to allegations of sexual misconduct made in April 2009 against personnel employed at the Terrebonne Parish Juvenile Detention Center. Claims made at that time prompted a federal investigation into the facility, which was launched in November 2009, with a final report issued in March 2011.

Eight staff members involved lost their jobs and faced criminal prosecution. Two of the suspected guards involved in the filed incidents made plea bargains and are serving prison time. Two of the remaining individuals were acquitted and charges against the remaining four were dropped.

Since then, some of those former TPJDC workers have prompted litigation to regain their positions and be paid damages.

In turn, the Justice Department found that authorities with the TPJDC had complied with recommended improvements at the facility.

“We commend the administrators of the TPJDC, parish government officials and their counsel for cooperating with the United States investigation and their commitment to reforming TPJDC to insure that the constitutional rights of juveniles are protected,” Assistant U.S. Attorney General for Civil Rights Thomas Perez said. “We appreciate that the highest level of TPJDC and parish government have already taken great strides to begin the process of reform without waiting for a court order.”

Parish officials declined to comment on this settlement because of its close relation to pending litigation by former TPJDC employees.

An independent monitor jointly selected by Justice Department and Terrebonne Parish officials will oversee compliance with the agreement. In approximately 90 days, six-month tours of the facility will take place by the monitor.

Civil Rights Division Special Litigation Section Deputy Chief Judy Preston and trial attorney Je Yon Jung filed the civil action.

The Justice Department is authorized to seek remedies for alleged patterns of practice and conduct that violate the federal rights of youths in the juvenile justice system based on the Violent Crime Control and Law enforcement Act of 1994.