EMERGENCY UPDATE: Major Security Breakdown at Campus Vernon Kilpatrick

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

Saturday afternoon and over the night, Campus Vernon Kilpatrick experienced a major security breakdown involving more than ten minor pre-disposition females and young adult SYTF females.

Multiple females left their assigned cottages, ran across the grounds, sought out rivals, and engaged in repeated physical altercations. Some were actively looking for ways out of the facility. At one point, several youth ran up the hill overlooking the grounds, climbed the fence surrounding the secured pool area, and - according to unverified reports - two minors jumped into the pool. According to reports after the incident, other youth and young adults ignored verbal commands, refused safe handcuff removal procedures, and engaged in violent behavior, including forcibly ripping another minor’s hair during a fight.

This was not a single brawl. It was a cascading breakdown caused by severe understaffing, with only 12 officers on duty when more than 20 were necessary to safely operate the facility.

Around 3:00 p.m., supervisors began urgently calling Local 685 Special Rep Cory Racusin for help. They were critically short-staffed and unable to reach key management personnel. Officer Racusin, who was off duty at the time, immediately reported for duty at CVK. Simultaneously, he began reaching out to co-workers and Local 685 executive board members for assistance.

Union President Curtis Chambers and Vice President Gonzalez went to CVK to assist officers, help stabilize the units, and support officer safety. Chambers, Gonzalez, and Racusin assisted in de-escalation and relieved exhausted officers.

At approximately 2:00 a.m., one officer was finally relieved after working 26 consecutive hours (officers assigned to CVK are routinely working 20–26 hour shifts since the minors and young adults were relocated to the facility). One officer injured her neck during a restraint, completed the necessary injury documentation, but could not leave the facility for treatment because there was no relief available.

This is what critically short staffing looks like.

There were approximately 12 staff on duty when the facility needed more than 20 staff to safely supervise the female-only juveniles and young adults at CVK.  Officers were outnumbered roughly eight to one. Directors and assistant directors were running housing units. There are no dedicated intake officers, no proper holding areas for escalated arrivals, and ongoing confusion regarding the use of non-lethal OC spray for line staff - despite its powerful effect as a deterrent.

Many officers remain out due to prior assault injuries. Accusations of “call outs” demoralize officers who are unable to safely work after a 20+ hour shift.

Staff described themselves as exhausted, functioning like “zombies.” This is not sustainable. It is unsafe for youth, and it is unsafe for officers.

We are stating this clearly:

Without immediate staffing relief and structural correction, this will happen again, and the outcome will likely be far worse.

The Executive Board is raising these unsafe and critically short staffing conditions at the highest levels and demanding immediate action from the Probation Department.

Everything is being documented. Protect yourselves. Watch your partners. Stay united.

In solidarity,

AFSCME Local 685 Executive Board