Another escape.
Since January, WOKV has been digging in to the circumstances around two separate escapes from the Duval Academy just days apart, totaling seven teens. We've now confirmed the facility saw two more teens escape just last month- which is a point where corrective action from the initial incidents should have been well in place.
Admissions to the facility have been frozen until further notice.
FULL STORY: Four terminated, widespread changes follow teen escapes
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice tells WOKV two youths escaped the Westside facility October 10th, but were apprehended the same day. The media was not notified at the time of the incident. We've requested information on the circumstances around those escapes as well as how long the youths were out of the facility, but have not yet heard back from DJJ.
Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office incident reports I obtained show the teens- both from Panama City- were initially reported by Duval Academy as missing persons and, because of that, were returned to the facility “hours later”. It was later on that they were arrested for the escape charge, when the facility told JSO the youths “could not be housed there any longer.” The only details on the escape itself is that the teens “exited the dorm and then jumped the fence”.
This comes nine months after two teens used a Christmas tree to scale a perimeter fence, and separately five teens walked off after causing extensive damage to their housing unit. The facility is designed as a residential program for non-violent male youth offenders who need mental health or substance abuse counseling.
GALLERY: Two teens flee Duval Academy while staffer has back turned
GALLERY: Following damage and flooding at Duval Academy, five teens escape
An Inspector General’s investigation obtained by WOKV ultimately found negligent maintenance at the facility and insufficient training of staff contributed to the January escapes.
Youth Services International, the company which runs the Duval Academy and seven other facilities for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, adopted a corrective action plan following the January escapes. That included infrastructure improvements, like strengthening the windows in the housing unit, adding a second perimeter fence on the back of the facility, and installing new deadbolt locks.
GALLERY: Surveillance catches teens throwing chairs, damaging walls
The plan further included retraining all staff, adding more training to initial staff orientation, and imposing refreshers. An audit performed in March showed some areas where training continued to lack.
Until DJJ investigates the October escapes, we won’t know whether shortfalls cited in the January escapes were also seen here.
“Admissions will remain frozen until the Department determines that a corrective action plan is approved and that Youth Services International (YSI) is able to keep youth safe at this program,” says a statement from a DJJ Spokeswoman.
Following WOKV's investigation, your lawmakers are planning to push DJJ for answers on what happened here and whether enough oversight is in place.
AUDIO: Investigation on Duval Academy raises questions on contractor
Learning about this third batch of escapes in nine months, however, heightens that effort for State Representative Charles McBurney.
“Sometimes, you have an incident that occurs, even when you use reasonable care. If it happens yet again- over let’s say a later period of time- that raises much larger and more significant red flags,” McBurney says.
McBurney says, it’s understandable that a company that works with the State may have a problem, but they’re expected to fix it and make sure it doesn’t happen again. So, hearing from WOKV about the third escapes this year means the pressure now turns to DJJ to determine what exactly is happening.
“Minimally, and most importantly, you have to have public safety as the number one concern,” McBurney says.
At the time of these escapes, YSI’s contract to run Duval Academy was valued at $8.88 million over the five year commitment. A contract amendment dated just days after the October escapes boosted that to $9.65 million. That’s part of a statewide effort by DJJ to boost staffing across care providers.
AUDIO: Third escape in nine months from Duval Academy under investigation
While DJJ has provided information through WOKV’s investigation, they have declined an interview and not commented directly on our questions of whether they’re satisfied with YSI’s performance as a State vendor. YSI has also provided statements, but declined our interview request, and hasn’t directly spoken to why the facility’s maintenance became such an issue and why no administration was reprimanded in response to what has happened.
We contacted YSI after learning about this most recent escape, but the company says they have no comment on that at this time because of the ongoing investigation.
AUDIO: DJJ, YSI respond to Duval Academy escapes
McBurney says, no matter what they’re being paid, the contractor- as well as DJJ- needs to be transparent and accountable in how the facility is being handled. He plans to take his questions to the DJJ Secretary, and will determine after that what- if any- future steps should be. Other lawmakers I’ve spoken with, including State Senator Audrey Gibson and State Senator Rob Bradley, believe the State’s relationship with YSI may need to be reviewed altogether.