U.S. Representatives
Alcee Hastings, Kendrick Meek, and Corrine Brown
for Federal Investigations into Juvenile Justice Boot Camps

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar), Kendrick B. Meek (D-Miami), and Corrine Brown (D-Jacksonville) have called for federal investigations into the acquittal of seven juvenile justice boot camp guards responsible for the death of Martin Lee Anderson in Bay County, Florida and the treatment of juveniles at juvenile justice boot camps in Florida and throughout the nation. In letters sent to the U.S. Department of Justice and the House Judiciary Committee, Florida's three black U.S. Representatives called for an end to the negligent treatment and violent punishment of at risk youth in juvenile detention facilities.

"Significant evidence suggests that discriminatory treatment has frequently occurred at juvenile boot camps. The unfortunate consequence of such treatment has not only been death of Anderson, but also others in recent years," wrote the Representatives. "The negligence, violent punishment, and disciplinary procedures that many youths within these camps endure reflect a defunct paradigm that by no means rehabilitates at-risk youth, nor serves the intended purposes of the juvenile justice system."

Representatives Hastings, Meek, and Brown are currently working with the House Judiciary Committee to convene a hearing to investigate the management of juvenile justice boot camps in Florida and the rest of the country.

A copy of the letter to the U.S. Department of Justice follows.

October 16, 2007

The Honorable Peter D. Keiser
Acting Attorney General
United States Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530

Dear Attorney General Keiser:

We write to ask that you investigate the persistent problems in the juvenile justice system and treatment at juvenile boot camps in Florida and throughout the country. As you may know, seven guards were recently acquitted in the October 12, 2007 verdict of the Martin Lee Anderson case in Bay County, Florida. This outcome has prompted us to contact you with our deep concerns. Press reports indicate that the Department of Justice will conduct an investigation of Anderson's death and other possible civil rights violations associated with the administration juvenile boot camps. We support action on this specific case and ask for this investigation to consider the excessive use of force and criminal negligence that persist throughout other juvenile boot camps in our state and throughout the country.

According to testimony taken during the case as well as countless press accounts, significant evidence suggests that discriminatory treatment has frequently occurred at juvenile boot camps. The unfortunate consequence of such treatment has not only been death of Anderson, but also others in recent years, including Omar Paisley. Paisley was denied treatment for a burst appendix in a Miami-Dade County juvenile boot camp and those responsible for failing to act were never held accountable. The negligence, violent punishment, and disciplinary procedures that many youths within these camps endure reflects a defunct paradigm that by no means rehabilitates at-risk youth, nor serves the intended purposes of the juvenile justice system. Thus, any investigation into these cases should thoroughly evaluate the merit and effectiveness of boot camps in rehabilitating youth offenders.

A serious investigation of this case will illuminate the injustices and discriminatory administration that pervade our juvenile justice system.

Thank you for your consideration of our request. We look forward to your expeditious response.

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