Feds claim abuse at Elko reformatory

Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003 | 11:05 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Juvenile delinquents committed to the state boys reformatory in Elko were beaten and kicked and had their heads smashed into doors by staff, U.S. Justice Department officials said.

The federal agency, which conducted its investigation last February, said it found a "pattern or practice of use of excessive force" at the Nevada Youth Training Center.

Some of the staff members involved in the excessive force received promotions, according to the Justice Department.

The Justice Department completed its report in November and said it found the boys "frequently were subjected to verbal abuse, in which their race, family, physical appearance and stature, intelligence or perceived sexual orientation were aggressively attacked."

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, who revealed the contents of the report Tuesday, said she was "appalled, embarrassed and ashamed" that the state operated a center where that behavior takes place. She called it a "culture of brutality."

The report was disclosed during budget hearings before the Senate Finance Committee and the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

Ed Cotton, administrator of the state Division of Child and Family Services, said corrections were made even before the final report was released. He said he personally met with some of the youngsters about the allegations.

Two of the staff members were fired and their dismissals were upheld recently by a hearing officer.

The report said inmates and staff members gave credible accounts of the excessive force at the facility, which holds 160 juveniles between the ages of 13 and 18.

"These instances included punching youths in the chest, kicking their legs, grabbing shirts and shoving youths against lockers and walls, 'dipping' or throwing youths to the floor, slapping youths in the face, smashing youths' head in doors and pulling youths from their beds to the floor," the report said.

The excessive force occurred when the juveniles disobeyed orders rather than when they posed a threat to themselves or others, the report said.

"A number of youths and long-term staff members indicated that staff regularly threatened to force-feed reception and classification youths who do not take a portion of everything offered in the food line and then eat it all," the report said.

Managers were found to regularly use excessive force against the juveniles.

"Despite their reputations, these persons have received insignificant, if any, sanctions regarding their use of excessive force," the report said. "In fact, some of them were promoted to management positions."

In one instance, a youngster received a one-inch laceration in the back of the head after he made fun of a staff member's sweater, the report said.

Leslie said she was worried that similar incidents may be happening at the state's facility at Caliente, which houses male and female delinquents. She said members of the Ways and Means Committee intend to inspect both facilities.

The report said there was insufficient staff to handle the inmates, and that training is lacking.