Judge closes Harriet B. Jones Treatment Center

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – A Mercer County Circuit Judge ordered the closure of the Harriet B. Jones Treatment Center in Harrison County. It’s on the campus of the former Salem Industrial Home for Youth that is now housing minimum security adult inmates.

Judge Omar Aboulhosn presided over an emergency hearing Wednesday in Kanawha County after concerns surfaced last week about conditions at the facility, which houses juvenile sex offenders and those with psychiatric issues.

Mountain State Justice, a public interest law firm, told the judge conditions at the facility were unacceptable. Witnesses testified the center is understaffed, inmates fear for their safety and rather than treatment, they’re receiving punishments.

Taya Trent, a former corrections counselor at the facility, said she complained to supervisors about staffing conditions.

“I was hired in December of 2012. We were already short approximately 5-6 officers,” testified Trent. “We were still short of staff when I was terminated in May.”

Trent said her firing was, in part, retaliation for going to supervisors at the facility and relating concerns about how inmates were treated.

A juvenile inmate testified at the hearing that he was punished for minor infractions, was locked in his room much of the time, and was constantly intimidated by a corrections officer.

“There’s a certain officer that every time I move, the officer always yells at me. Whenever we’re sitting in the TV room watching TV, the officer will come and stand next to me, maybe 2 feet behind me,” the inmate said.

“I’ll move over to the other side [of the room] because I don’t feel comfortable with someone standing that close to me. Two or three minutes later the officer will move over to the side where I am and stand right behind me.”

The juvenile also talked about how he was written up for lying to a corrections officer even though he denied it and never signed his name to a plea form that was in his file.

When the judge took a close look at the document, he made it clear he was not happy with the procedure.

“I find it troubling that, if this is the kind of due process that goes on at these hearings, how in the world do I have any faith that [the inmates] are having fair, due process hearings?”

Aboulhosn required the facility to produce a video tape of the hearing.

“I want to see if what this young man testified to is accurate or if this document is accurate,” he said holding up the plea form.

Stephanie Bond, acting director of the Division of Juvenile Services, told the judge she felt staffers at the center were working on the problems and making progress.

“I think the staff there is trying to get a handle on things,” Bond said. “They are enforcing regulations, trying to get kids to follow the rules and guidelines.”

But the judge wasn’t satisfied with that answer and ordered the center closed by Sept. 30.

“Whether it’s a new facility or an old facility, it just can’t stay where it’s at,” said Aboulhosn.





More News

News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm
News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 28, 2024 - 6:20 pm
News
PEIA examines financial effects of new law meant to ensure local pharmacies get fair reimbursements
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 453 into law this week.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm
News
Barbour County woman sentenced after death case sent back to circuit court by Supreme Court
Carli Reed sentenced on voluntary manslaughter conviction.
March 28, 2024 - 4:11 pm


Your Comments