Clergy speak out about Justice Center

The Dallas Black Clergy held an emergency press conference on September 10  at Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center (Henry Wade) concerning the (now substantiated) inhumane conditions of the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center. The gathering was swiftly organized following the release of the Executive Summary of the recent report of the Office of the Inspector General that substantiated the depiction of the callous conditions for juveniles at Henry Wade.

Several of the concerning conditions found in the latest report are as follows, but not limited to:

• unjust use of a “special needs unit” where children were secluded in cells for up to 5 days
• frequent confinement of juvenile residents inside of their cells, which created system neglect
• staff falsifying records and observation reports
• and much more.

Founding members of the Dallas Black Clergy were in attendance at the press conference, in addition to several community leaders and luminaries, in an effort to rally for change, and to make critical demands from Dallas County officials — and another request to meet with each member of the Dallas County Juvenile Board.

According to Reverend Dr. Michael W. Waters, Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy and the Founder and Lead Pastor of Abundant Life A.M.E. Church, “According to the Executive Summary of the report of the Office of the Inspector General, released just yesterday, staff at the Henry Wade Juvenile Justice Center are guilty of no less than inflicting cruel and unusual punishment. Cruel and unusual punishment is terrifying by any measure, but the fact that these cruel and unusual punishments have been inflicted upon children, makes it particularly diabolical.”

Speakers at the press conference  included:

• Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters – Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy; Founder and Lead Pastor of Abundant Life A.M.E. Church
• Rev. Dr. Irie Session – Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy for Safety, Equity and Justice; Co-Pastor of The Gathering: A Womanist Church in Dallas
• Rev. Dr. Marcus D. King – Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy; Senior Pastor, Disciple Central Community Church
• Mr. John Fullinwider – Co-Founder of Mother’s Against Police Brutality
• Rev. Dr. Phea Kennedy – Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy for Safety, Equity and Justice
• Rev. Dr. Kwesi Kamau – Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy for Safety, Equity, and Justice; Lead Pastor of Impact Church DFW
• Rev. Amy Moore – Parish Associate, North Park Presbyterian Church
• Rev. Dr. Kamilah Hall Sharp – Founding Member of the Dallas Black Clergy for Safety, Equity and Justice; Co-Pastor of The Gathering: A Womanist Church in Dallas

“It’s interesting to note, that in the city of Dallas, it is illegal to keep a dog tethered for longer than 3 hours in a 24-hour period,” Rev. Dr. Waters said. “Yet children in this county have been kept in filthy cells for days at a time, without being afforded the dignity even of a daily shower. That confirms that at Henry Wade, children are being treated worse than dogs.”

Demands by the Dallas Black Clergy Included, But Are Not Limited To:

• An independent third party review that will offer recommendation on Best Practices for the Juvenile Justice Center
• That the Community has a seat at the table in selecting the next Executive Director for the Juvenile Justice Center
• Swift accountability for every adult in the system who has harmed the children and trampled on their civil and human rights
• Request (again) a meeting with each member of the Juvenile Justice Board – to date, only 2 members have met with the Dallas Black Clergy

“Today, we’re standing for righteousness, we’re standing for justice, and we’re speaking up for our children.” – Rev. Dr. Phea Kennedy