LOS ANGELES — California’s top prosecutor said Wednesday he has asked a court to give the state control of Los Angeles County’s troubled juvenile detention facilities because incarcerated young people are enduring unsafe conditions, including violence and rampant drug abuse.
Attorney General Rob Bonta said he wants the county to hand over administration of the juvenile jails to a third-party receiver, a court-appointed official who will take over management and operations from the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The official will have control over budgets and staffing decisions.
“This is a last resort, but it’s also the one left to defend the safety of the young people in these facilities,” Bonta said. He said the “extraordinary step” was necessary because the county has failed to comply with a court order his office secured in 2021 requiring sweeping reforms.
The probation department, which oversees the juvenile halls, didn’t immediately respond to