Polis Administration Faces Lawsuit Over Keeping Minors In Custody After Judges Ordered Release

By Marissa Ventrelli | Colorado Politics

Colorado officials are facing a lawsuit alleging the state kept minors in juvenile detention for days or months after judges ordered them released, largely because appropriate foster or community placements were not available.

Two minors facing juvenile delinquency charges sued Gov. Jared Polis and the director of the state’s Department of Human Services, alleging the state is incarcerating children despite judges’ orders to release them to the community.

The state refused to comment on the litigation, though a spokesperson said the safety of children under its care is a top priority.

The lawsuit, filed by a coalition of civil and disability rights advocates on behalf of defendants known only as Isaac N. and Tony S., alleged the state has knowingly kept children incarcerated in “highly restrictive” facilities for weeks or months after a juvenile court judge has determined they can be released. The lawsuit also claimed the majority have disabilities.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT COLORADO POLITICS