Clark says fragmented information and ACS data gaps hinder decisions
Clark says prosecutors cannot fully assess youth needs when information is fragmented across systems. She says her office has struggled to get daily updates on Bronx youth detained at Horizon and Crossroads, and cites the June violent uprising at Horizon as a safety concern.
Prosecutors cannot fully assess a young person's needs, risks, or appropriate interventions.
when critical information remains fragmented across the system.
Legal restrictions and agency-specific policies can limit access to details about a young person's prior involvement with the justice system,
including cases handled in family court or through services provided by the Department of Probation.
These challenges are particularly significant when young people are in secure detention.
My office has experienced difficulty obtaining daily updates identifying Bronx youth involved in Bronx cases who are detained at Horizon and Crossroads Juvenile Detention Centers.
The Administration for Children's Services maintains the most current information about the young people in its custody.
Yet, despite our requests, we have not received the daily detention population information needed to compile an accurate, up-to-date count of Bronx youth in these facilities.
This is not simply an administrative gap, but a major safety risk as well.
The need for coordination was accented by the violent uprising at Horizon in June,
when detained youth and staff members were slashed and beaten, and ACS reportedly struggled to maintain control of the facility for several hours.
The situation raised serious concerns about the safety of the
of young people in city custody and the staff responsible for their care.
My office is prosecuting certain individuals for additional charges arising from that incident, which highlights another area of concern.
At times, my office has struggled to obtain information about alleged infractions, violations, and other conduct by youth in detention that may signal a safety risk or give rise to additional criminal charges.
We must protect the confidentiality rights of young people while improving coordination among the agencies responsible for prosecution,
supervision, services, and detention so that officials have the information necessary to make sound decisions and respond to safety threats.