EDITORIAL: Reform critical for juvenile incarceration

Efforts to reform New York's abysmal juvenile jails got a boost last week when federal and state officials reached a deal to rein in abuse and improve mental health care.

Federal monitors should make a bad situation better. But the juvenile system needs to be transformed to rely less on incarceration in the state's 24 costly, ineffective centers, and more on smaller residences and treatment facilities located in communities closer to home for the 667 youth in its care.

Reports from state and federal officials and human rights groups have painted a damning picture of the centers, where abusive disciplinary techniques have left residents badly injured and one dead. U.S. Justice Department officials probed four of the centers and concluded in 2009 that residents' constitutional rights were being systematically violated.

Last week's agreement limits the use of force and bans techniques like chokeholds and "hooking and tripping," where kids were routinely slammed to the floor. It calls for more social workers and nurses and, finally, a full-time psychiatrist. Substance abuse treatment will be enhanced and comprehensive employee training requirements will be imposed.

State officials say many of the changes agreed to for the four centers will be implemented systemwide using $18 million provided in the state budget. That's the sort of full-court press it will take to improve the intractable system. But improvement shouldn't blunt the drive for actual transformation. hN