NYC lawmakers tour Horizon Juvenile Center, demand changes amid ongoing concerns
Council member Althea Stevens, chair of the New York City Council Committee on Children and Youth, was joined by other elected officials, advocates and Legal Aid representatives for the visit.
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City lawmakers are calling for increased transparency and changes at the Horizon Juvenile Center in the Bronx after touring the facility Tuesday and speaking with young people being held there.
Council member Althea Stevens, chair of the New York City Council Committee on Children and Youth, was joined by other elected officials, advocates and Legal Aid representatives for the visit. The tour comes after months of scrutiny surrounding conditions at Horizon, including concerns about violence, overcrowding and allegations of abuse.
Stevens said there are hundreds of young people in secure detention across the city. She and other officials are calling for greater transparency and regular inspections of the facilities, along with access to education, mental health services, recreation and stronger family connections.
Stevens is also calling on the administration to safely return 150 young people to their communities by December when appropriate.
“Our children should not remain incarcerated simply because our systems have failed to create a pathway home,” Stevens said.
Tuesday’s visit follows months of concerns at Horizon.
A violent incident inside the facility in June sent about a dozen people to the hospital.
State lawmakers toured Horizon one month later and said more than 150 young people were being housed at the facility despite a stated capacity of 121.
Families were also outside Horizon Tuesday, raising their own concerns.
One grandmother told News 12 her grandson has been held at the facility for about a year and alleged he has faced physical and verbal mistreatment while in custody.
“I’m very afraid for all these kids. And my grandson, too,” she said.
News 12 has reached out to the Administration for Children’s Services for a response to the concerns raised by lawmakers and families.
"ACS is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for youth and staff in our secure detention centers. We were pleased that members of the City Council and the Public Advocate today had the opportunity to see our secure detention facility, meet with staff and young people, and learn more about the ways in which we are working to improve conditions of care and reduce the number of young people in secure detention,” a spokesperson wrote in a statement.
They also added that they were renovating the existing facilities, enhancing security measures, onboarding additional staff members, developing updated staff training, and increasing youth educational opportunities, as well as investing in youth workforce development and training programs.
"The ultimate goal is to provide trauma informed supports and opportunities to help young people make different choices in order to thrive regardless of what's next in their lives,” ACS wrote.
Officials also called on state leaders to address the state’s role in the juvenile justice system, saying changes will require coordination between both the city and Albany.
Stevens said council members plan to continue visiting secure detention facilities as part of their oversight efforts.
