From Nevada Division of Child and Family Services
Two youth ran away March 2 from the Nevada Youth Training Center (NYTC) in Elko. But they were both apprehended within 24 hours by the Elko County Sheriff’s Department and returned to the juvenile justice facility.
Wednesday’s incident follows three earlier escapes in January from the juvenile justice youth centers located in Elko and Caliente.
“While the majority of interactions between youth at our facilities and the community members in Elko and Caliente are positive, we recognize the increased safety risk to not only our surrounding communities but to our staff, local law enforcement, and the youth themselves must be reduced,” said Ross Armstrong, deputy administrator for the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS). “While each successful escape is reviewed following the incident, it is time for a thorough review of escapes to identify and address any vulnerabilities in our current practices.”
Because of the recent escapes, the Nevada DCFS is going to convene a team to review policy, procedures and security at their staff-secure facilities.
The review team will make recommendations to Deputy Administrator Ross Armstrong on the changes that need to occur at the facilities to minimize the safety risks to communities, youth, and staff caused by escapes.
The task force will be comprised of staff from all three DCFS facilities, including correctional officers from Summit View Youth Center.
Since the beginning of the year there have been 15 youth who have escaped from either the NYTC in Elko or the Caliente Youth Center (CYC) in Caliente.
Both facilities are “staff secure,” meaning there is no perimeter fence or physical barrier between the facility and the areas directly outside the facilities.
The security task force is expected to deliver its findings to Armstrong by June 15.
