JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Poor training and a lack of maintenance allowed seven teens to escape from a low-risk treatment facility in January, according to a state report.
A joint investigation with Action News Jax newspartner 104.5 WOKV revealed critical missteps and a push by a state lawmaker for change because of the findings.
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice has been closely monitoring Duval Academy since January when seven teens escaped in two separate incidents.
Kent Zwolinski lives just feet away from Duval Academy and said the teens who escaped stole his property.
"They were getting through this portion of the fence down there where the vertical bars were broke off," Zwolinski said.
Zwolinski said the facility put up mesh on the fence to block off any holes and keep the teens inside but he called it a quick fix.
"Them kids could probably jump over that fence if they want to," Zwolinski said. "Supervision I think is the main concern. Supervising them when they're out."
A state investigation into the facility agrees.
In the first escape involving two teens, a youth care worker "violated the supervision policy by allowing the youth to proceed around the corners out of her line of sight," according to the report.
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According to the police and state investigation reports, the teens used a Christmas tree as a ladder to climb over the fence.
The worker also said that "the only training she had was Protective Action Response training. She received no training on line movement, counts, supervision, fire drills, escapes or any other policies."
That employee was fired.
Less than a week later, five more teens managed to escape from Duval Academy after causing a flood using the sprinkler system.
In that case the state again found there was "improper supervision" and three workers were fired.
The report also said "the maintenance staff could not keep up with the repairs" caused by the damage by the teens when they kicked the windows out of the room doors.
In a statement, Regional Vice President of Youth Services International which runs Duval Academy, Jasir S. Diab said:
"The Duval Academy, located in Jacksonville, is a non-secure residential treatment program for low- to moderate-risk boys ages 14 to 18. As a non-secure program, the facility was, at the time of these incidents, surrounded by a single, eight-foot high chain link fence.<br/> <br/>"In January 2015 there were two separate incidents where youths climbed the perimeter fence and were away from the facility. It should be noted that all of the youth were returned to the program, some within five hours.<br/> <br/>"Program administrators immediately reported the incidents to the proper authorities, including the state's Department of Juvenile Justice. As part of standard protocol, the DJJ initiated investigations into the incidents via its Office of the Inspector General.<br/> <br/>"As a result of our internal investigation into these events several employees were immediately placed on unpaid administrative leave and were subsequently terminated as a result of the official investigation by the DJJ. In addition, other procedural changes were implemented at the facility, including the installation of a second fence line within the existing perimeter and the requirement that facility staff be posted along the fence line any time youth are outside. All of these personnel and policy changes were submitted to the DJJ and accepted by the agency as satisfactory.
"Incidents like this are not taken lightly and the safety of the youth within the program, and the safety of the surrounding community, is of the utmost importance to us."
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Neighbors like Zwolinski said they're skeptical the changes will be sufficient.
"If one got out and came in, they could go right into my house," Zwolinski said.
State Sen. Audrey Gibson said there are questions about oversight of the Department of Juvenile Justice because there is not a committee in the state legislature dedicated to dealing with policy at the agency,
Gibson said she believes the contract with YSI should be reconsidered.
"Those that are derelict should not be rewarded with another contract or an increase," Gibson said.
Florida Department of Juvenile Justice gave a statement that said:
"The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice's number one priority is the safety and security of youth and we are glad no one was harmed in this incident. It is our expectation that our contracted providers have the same high standards for safety and security as well. The Department continues to provide enhanced oversight as YSI works towards implementing a corrective action plan. We have taken swift action to ensure that every youth in Duval Academy is receiving services safely. Should progress not be made on that action plan, DJJ will evaluate additional contract action."