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Cabarrus detention center reviews security after October disturbance
Two youths assaulted an employee, took his keys and opened rooms for other juveniles at the Cabarrus detention center on Oct. 10. The state says staff regained control in about nine minutes and has put an action plan in place after reviewing facility operations.
A disturbance at the Cabarrus Juvenile Detention Center on Oct. 10 began when two juveniles assaulted a staff member, took his keys and unlocked rooms holding other youths, who then began fighting, state officials said.
Staff brought the situation under control in about nine minutes. During the incident, the juveniles locked the employee in a room and broke his radio, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. The employee was treated and has returned to work. The youths were evaluated for injuries but did not need to be taken for medical care.
The incident occurred in an area of the facility used for juveniles facing charges in adult court. The state agency reviewed facility operations afterward and said it had identified potential security weaknesses and developed an action plan to prevent a similar event.
Frank Crawford, a representative of the Children’s Alliance, which advocates for young people, said housing groups of juveniles together carries security risks. He said more staff positions and training tailored to working with young people could help reduce the likelihood of incidents.
The Oct. 10 episode is the second reported key-taking incident at the facility in recent years. About two years earlier, a group of youths took a staff member’s keys, opened other rooms and occupied a housing pod for just under an hour before returning to their rooms.