Judge sets hearing on potential closure of Los Padrinos juvenile hall in Los Angeles County

A judge has ordered a hearing on December 23 regarding the potential closure of Los Padrinos juvenile hall in Los Angeles County. This follows the probation department's refusal to comply with a state order to shut down the facility by December 12. The state oversight board deemed Los Padrinos "unsuitable" due to staffing issues. The judge's order could lead to relocating about 260 youths to lower-security camps, home confinement, or juvenile halls in nearby counties. The probation department plans to appeal the state findings and insists that staffing is compliant with regulations. Meanwhile, the public defender's office is seeking to remove its clients from the facility in light of the shutdown order.