The Dallas County Juvenile Justice Department has reappointed former Director Mike Griffiths as interim director of youth detention.
The announcement comes three weeks after Darryl Beatty’s resignation – the same week that an unannounced government inspection confirmed reports of poor conditions and treatment at the detention center.
The board appointed Griffiths in a special meeting on Monday. In an interview with KERA News, he said he was ready to make corrections.
“There needs to be an evaluation of the department,” he said. “And not only the deficits should be considered, but also the strengths.”
These strengths include support programs for teenagers and young adults, such as in the areas of cooking, welding, computer programming and art appreciation, such as guitar lessons.
Griffiths headed the youth department and youth prison for 15 years from 1995, and took over as interim director in 2018.
“My goal then and now is to restore that trust and credibility,” he said.
He added that until a permanent leader is found, he will try to restore the department’s credibility – credibility with lawmakers, judges and prosecutors, and with the people of Dallas County. But also, he said, with people within the agency itself.
“It’s not just about being responsive to stakeholders. It’s about being responsive to employees,” he said. “Management by walking. That’s important. That’s the key. It’s about handling a request. We should be empathetic. Whether it’s an employee or a stakeholder.”
Andy Sommerman, a youth committee member and county commissioner, said there are currently no other candidates.
“It was: ‘Here’s Mike Griffiths, here’s his resume, are we all in agreement? Yes. See you then,'” he said. “It was the shortest youth meeting I’ve ever attended.”
“We just need to find the right person to take on the job permanently,” he said.
Before his resignation, Beatty had repeatedly denied allegations from parents, employees and whistleblowers. His predecessor, Terry Smith, never returned to work after similar reports of negligence and abuse of minors at the detention center surfaced, according to The Dallas Morning News.
Griffiths began his career as a Dallas County jailer in 1977. According to LinkedIn, he also served as executive director of the Texas Juvenile Court from 2012 to 2014 and has been a consultant at Mel Brown and Associates in Chicago since 2015.
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