Judge approves LA County’s plan to reform Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall

A judge has approved Los Angeles County’s plan to relocate more than 100 youths from Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall to other facilities, including a controversial shift that will dismantle one of the most successful institutions in the otherwise troubled juvenile system.

During his ruling, Superior Court Judge Miguel Espinoza warned county officials that if the plan did not improve the conditions at Los Padrinos, he would enforce a tentative ruling requiring the full closure of the juvenile hall.