An 11-year-old boy with mental illness was brutally beaten by guards at Long Creek Youth Development Center. Despite the absence of any physical threat, the guards entered his cell and bashed his face against a metal bed frame, knocking out his front teeth. After the attack, they didn't take him to the dentist for six days, at which point it was too late to save his teeth.
We filed a lawsuit on A.I.'s behalf charging excessive violence and negligent care. But we can't stop there. It's time for oversight and accountability at Maine's youth prison.
Sign the petition asking Maine's top officials to hold crucial oversight hearings to find out what's going wrong at Long Creek.
This wasn't the first violent incident at Long Creek, but we can make sure it's the last. Our elected officials have an obligation to protect kids in state custody. Tell them to hold oversight hearings now.
Governor LePage, Senate President Thibodeau, Speaker Gideon:
If there's one thing we can agree on, it's that kids in the care of the state should not be subjected to violent beatings. Yet mounting reports suggest a culture of violence at Long Creek Youth Development Center.
Our children are being failed - at every step, and by multiple agencies and individuals. It's time for accountability. We call on you to convene oversight hearings to find out what's happening to kids in Maine's youth prison.
Working together, you can play a key role in ensuring the safety of children in the custody of the state.
