During the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Los Angeles County released hundreds of youth from lockup over fears that juvenile detention centres would breed infection. Now, local leaders are looking for ways to ensure that the numbers of youth incarcerated at juvenile halls and camps do not rise to pre-pandemic levels. 

The number of youth held in juvenile detention has decreased by more than 30% since the start of the pandemic. During that time, L.A. also closed Camp Scott, one of its juvenile detention facilities, fitting with national trends. Last week, analysis of data from juvenile justice agencies in 33 states by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that juvenile detention fell 32% from March 1 to May 1. Admissions also declined by 52% in March and April with crime dropping and fewer youth arrests. 

But in L.A., some of that progress has stalled. On May 9, there were 185 youth held in juvenile detention camps, where young people are sent after being sentenced by a juvenile delinquency court judge. According to the most recent data available from the Probation Department, the number of youth has risen to 216, an increase of 17%. 

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