The new head of the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Department says he is taking steps to have an outside party examine every aspect of the juvenile justice system in an effort to restore public trust.
The juvenile justice system in Dallas County is currently undergoing a change that many observers believe is long overdue.
Rev. Michael Waters is part of a faith community that is shedding light on conditions at the juvenile hall and advocating for a thorough review of all aspects of this controversial agency by the Dallas County Juvenile Justice Department.
“It’s been a tough summer for young people in the state of Texas,” Waters told the committee on Monday.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins is a member of the nine-member panel and believes the review is necessary.
“We need that comprehensive view of all the different processes,” Jenkins said.
Former warden Darryl Beatty resigned last month following allegations of poor, unsanitary and inhumane conditions at the detention center.
Deputy Director DeAndra Jones resigned four days ago.
Jenkins told NBC 5 he did not want to speak directly about former employees, but said the juvenile justice system is slowly on the road to improvement.
“When you look at what happened to these kids, there are obviously some people responsible,” Jenkins said. “From a parent’s perspective, the people who have left so far are a good thing for their child.”
The most visible sign of personnel change was the appointment of a new interim director on August 12, a familiar face who addressed the board for the first time this week.
“As each of us walks through the facility, we can see things that are improving and things that still need to be addressed,” Griffiths told the board on Monday.
Michael Griffiths led Dallas’ juvenile justice system for 15 years and said his current presence should help restore the trust of board members, judges and the community at large.
Griffiths said he would present plans for a comprehensive external review of the department by October, and the Youth Committee would then decide whether to proceed with the project.
