Class-action lawsuit against NY seeks to end violence in juvenile detention

NY is sued to end violence in juvenile detention

ALBANY, N.Y. — A federal lawsuit filed on behalf of 500 juveniles in New York state detention seeks to ban violent physical restraint and to require better mental health treatment.

Children and Family Services Commissioner Gladys Carrion promised reforms after scathing federal and state reports this year.

But Legal Aid Society attorney Tamara Steckler says abuse continues despite some retraining and a revised restraint policy.

Legal Aid’s class-action lawsuit lists nine juveniles to represent all those held in intake and “limited secure” facilities. Steckler says they want a court order from U.S. District Judge Paul Crotty in January.

Family Services spokesman Edward Borges declined to comment Thursday.