In L.A. County's juvenile hall, reports have surfaced claiming probation officers incentivize fights among youths by offering food rewards. An 18-year-old former inmate described how officers would designate targets for beatings, allowing kids to choose fast-food meals as a reward. This practice of orchestrating fights, termed 'gladiator fights,' came to light when shocking video footage was released, leading to an investigation that resulted in the indictment of 30 officers. Advocates and legal professionals criticized these actions, highlighting the long-standing issues within the juvenile justice system.
"There's a meal on his head... It's basically a bounty," recounted the teenager, highlighting how L.A. County probation officers incentivized violence among youths with food rewards.
Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta referred to the orchestrated brawls as 'gladiator fights,' stating that officers either coordinated or allowed 69 fights between July and December 2023.
Jerod Gunsberg, a defense attorney, described 'gladiator fights' as an 'open secret' in L.A. County's juvenile justice system for years, revealing troubling officer practices.
Concerns about juvenile halls' management reemerged after footage showed officers allowing six youths to beat another, raising serious ethical and legal questions.
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