Kings County Probation Department has agreed to reform its juvenile detention center after a multi-year investigation revealed systemic failures in supporting youth with disabilities. The settlement resolves claims that young people in the facility faced harmful use of force, isolation, and inadequate mental health services. Disability Rights California and Disability Rights Advocates filed the complaint in September 2026, arguing that probation practices drove high rates of detention and recidivism.
Changes to the Facility and Practices
Under the settlement, the Probation Department will work with a nationally recognized expert to reduce the use of force and transform the center into a less prison-like environment. Officials committed to expanding rehabilitative programming and increasing pre- and post-booking alternatives to detention. Megan Stanton-Trehan, Associate Managing Attorney at Disability Rights California, said the group is pleased with the reforms, particularly for young people with disabilities, and optimistic about partnering to make improvements in areas like use of force and access to programming.
The agreement also includes the Kings County Office of Education, which operates the on-site court school, J.C. Montgomery School. However, DRC and DRA’s claims against the Office of Education remain unresolved. Those claims allege that the school does not adequately locate, identify, and evaluate students with disabilities and fails to provide required instructional minutes, disability-related supports, and appropriate behavioral interventions. Additionally, the settlement agreement gives the court jurisdiction to enforce it and resolve any future disputes.
Ensuring Education Rights
Amelia Evard, Staff Attorney with Disability Rights Advocates, emphasized the importance of special education services for incarcerated youth. “We’re hopeful that Kings County Office of Education will also come to the table to meet the needs of the young people in their care.”
Disability Rights Advocates is a leading national nonprofit disability rights legal center founded in 1993. The organization represents people with the full spectrum of disabilities in complex, system-change, class action cases. DRA is proud to have upheld the promise of the ADA since its inception, and thanks to its precedent-setting work, people with disabilities across the country have dramatically improved access to health care, employment, transportation, education, disaster preparedness planning, voting, and housing.
