Supervisor Mitchell’s Statement on CA Attorney General Announcing Criminal Charges Against Detention Officers Involved in “Gladiator Fights” at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement in response to today’s announcement from California Attorney General Rob Bonta of criminal charges for 30 detention officers at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall for their alleged roles in facilitating “gladiator fights”:

“These profoundly appalling allegations of child endangerment and abuse are a deeply disturbing betrayal of the County’s responsibility to its young people. I support the steps that Attorney General Bonta and his team have taken to investigate the facts, bring charges, and to hold every person involved accountable.

For far too long, the Los Angeles County Probation Department has struggled to achieve basic accountability in its juvenile institutions. The current culture has emboldened far too many staff to feel the rules don’t apply to them, which puts the health and safety of the young people entrusted to our care at risk. We have failed the young people who were forced or allowed to participate in these “gladiator fights.”

Today’s announcement of criminal charges against 30 staff at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall for their alleged involvement in these deplorable acts is a long overdue step towards critical accountability.

It is my expectation that the Probation Department continue to fully support the Attorney General’s investigation and takes demonstrable steps for meaningful and measurable reforms to prevent further harm to the youth in our care and repair the harms already perpetrated.”