Statement of
U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee Holds Hearing on Juvenile Boot Camps at the Request of Florida Lawmakers
Witness urges Department of Justice to launch investigation of the State of Florida's Juvenile Justice System

WASHINGTON, DC – At the request of U.S. Representatives Alcee L. Hastings (D-Miramar), Corrine Brown (D-Jacksonville) and Kendrick B. Meek (D-Miami), the U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security held a hearing on December 13th on ongoing problems in the juvenile justice system and the treatment of minors at juvenile boot camps in Florida. 

“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 does it serve the intended purposes of the juvenile justice system.  We must work together to develop more effective federal policies for youth offender rehabilitation without the violence and risks of juvenile boot camps,” said Congressman Hastings (D-Miramar). 

“This is an outrage not only for the state of Florida, but for the entire nation.  It is simply mind blowing to me that this kind of retributive behavior on the part of state authorities is allowed to exist, and was outright sanctioned by our courts.  Additionally, the fact that there are numerous other documented cases where the sentences of young black men have been much more severe than others charged in similar cases is entirely unacceptable,” said Congresswoman Brown (D-Jacksonville).  

“When young people die while in the custodial care of the state, the tragedy is that much greater,” said Congressman Kendrick B. Meek (D-Miami).  “A minor’s civil rights should not vanish the moment they are admitted to the Juvenile Justice System in Florida.  Equal justice under the law is not a temporary privilege; it’s a permanent right of all U.S. citizens, even those at a boot camp facility.”            

One witness, Adora Obi Nweze, President of the Florida State Conference, NAACP urged Members of Congress “to use your oversight powers to urge the United States Department of Justice to launch a through investigation of the State of Florida’s Juvenile Justice System.  It is incumbent upon the federal government to ensure that the rights of Florida’s children are being protected.”  

Florida State Representative Audrey Gibson (District 15 – Jacksonville, Florida) and Professor Doris MacKenzie of the University of Maryland, College Park also testified at the hearing. 

The lawmakers asked for the hearing following the acquittal of seven guards in the October 12, 2007 verdict of the Martin Lee Anderson Case in Bay County, Florida. 

Martin Lee Anderson, 14, was detained by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) at a state run boot camp and died at the facility due to actions of the guards.  As a result, in April 2006, lawmakers in Tallahassee voted to eliminate Florida’s boot camps.   

In addition to Martin, juveniles Willie Durden, Omar Paisley, Daniel Matthews, Brian Farmer, Shawn Smith and Michael Willtise died between 2000 and 2006 while in the custodial care of the state of Florida.   

U.S. Rep. Alcee L. Hastings represents the 23rd Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Broward, Palm Beach, Hendry, Martin and St. Lucie Counties.  He serves as the Democratic Chairman of Florida’s Congressional Delegation.

U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown represents the 3rd Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Jacksonville, Orlando, Gainesville, and sections of Lake, Volusia, Putnam and Marion Counties.  Congresswoman Brown is the Chair of the Transportation Committee’s Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials.

U.S. Rep. Kendrick B. Meek represents the 17th Congressional District of Florida which includes parts of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.  He serves as the lone Floridian sitting on the House Committee on Ways and Means and also sits on the House Armed Services Committee.

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