Violence, Abuse & Neglect in the California Youth Authority

[nwselect1]

I did 6 years and 8 months straight in cya. Left on my 21st birthday. Hard time no games. Stabbings, beatings, hanging, riots, bodies. The 4 years I did later in a maximum adult prison was a cake walk in comparison. it was a free for all, staff did what they wanted. lied and denied everything

[MorningsEcho]

To say that this is painful doesn't even come close. I can't begin to describe what I feel. It's like I'm ripped open, fighting to breathe, struggling to see in the dark, and so very angry. They are all responsible, the whole state. If they had done what they promised in the first place, he would still be alive and living with his siblings. They are all liars and I hate that state with all that I am! It's funny, part of me struggles to forgive while the other part wants them them to pay.

[MorningsEcho]

I voluntarily placed my son in protective custody after I had to leave a group home at 18 with no where to go but a shelter. My son had special needs and I believed my caseworker (I was in foster care) when she told me I could place him temporarily, I believed I would get him back. I'm the biological mother of one of the young men who killed himself in 2004. I didn't find out until 7/11. Now, on my daughters birthday, January 19, I have to somehow be happy for her while I grieve for him. Why...

[Brianlovesblanca]

Damnnn wtf half of the people are hispanic damm...and im latino:) same shit but yeah

[roxanna466]

@Mikuruification u shud b. that's why u gotta follow the fuckin rulez kid! l went 2 rehab, it wasn't nearly as bad as this but it was bad. l got beat up by a staff member too. 3 months later they shut down the place. & a cop that works @ a rehab came in the shower wen l was in it. l thought rehab wudn't b as bad as prison but it's way more like prison than l thought. So if rehab was worse than l thought then youth prison will b way worse.GOOD LUCK U GONNA NEED IT u'll b more scared than u think.

[crazyspyder213]

did time in paso robles, yts and chad

[roxanna466]

@crazyspyder213 u learn u'r lesson?! u gonna b a man & stop fucking around & behave?!

[crazyspyder213]

Y.A #59815 i loved it there

[408Machine]

This money we're spending on rehab programs can be spent on infrastructure, schools, scholarships so at least that money will be used in a more beneficial way. Don't forget that CYA is filled with violent criminals that will re-offend and end up in and out of prison, that's just the way it is.

[408Machine]

This is all for political propaganda. The state is going broke so they want to justify the shut down of these facilities. The end result is more criminals on the street, reduced sentences for violent crimes, and higher crimes coming to a place near you. They always talk about rehabilitating these people but most want to make a living of crimes, they strive to be career criminals or gangsters. Rehabilitation programs cost a lot of money and those who want to change do it on their own.

[Mugshot1913]

ya#88592 cat. 4; 02',03',04',05',06',07',08' shot "Mug**" what up homies, well my lil story is not as bad but you know i went in there as a violent criminal and came out a SMARTER one, ended up shot calling the hood for a while. Never did get CAUGHT for a new beef but went in and out every time becoming street savy on something new. Its a school for criminals. Worst years of my life, not a day goes by when i dont thing of that place...

[roxanna466]

@Mugshot1913 l just went 2 rehab, not even a place like this & it still traumatized me! l'm antisocial now. l'm afraid 2 socialize now. l wazn't b 4, but now l am. l can't stand teenagers & l'm afraid of meeting people. l try not 2 b this way but rehab made me this way. l'm the Grinch[et] of every day now not just x-mas. l was in there cuz l went cuz of antidepressants. lt wasn't even my fault!! My meds made me crazy & so did rehab. l learned a lot of good stuff but l'm so scared of people now.

[kingvills]

C.Y.A '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 shot

[Lostsoulz1751]

i was in CYA's- O.H. Close, Paso Robles, and Dewitt Nelson from 1988-1992 .i did an extra year from all the fights i got into . i would get any where from 30-90 day time adds for fighting .

in OH Close the main CO would try to talk me into causing racial fights .he would act like he had my back . when i refused he sent me to Paso Robles , and he tried to have the white boys there roll me up ...didnt really work out as he planned, though i did an extra year over that bull shit .

[lovingexoticfrogs]

M#7563 come on ppl,I was there for years you all know me Dusty! I was there when 2 staff died, about 7 girls got preg by staff, I was even there when a staff got preg by an inmate and had triplets! stories to be told ,,,stories to be told!!! CYA is very lucky I have not wrote a book yet! RIOTS,SEX,MONEY STOLEN BY WARDEN CARBJUAL AND WAS CHARGED YOU THINK THE INMATES WERE SCANLESS ,MOST WERE TRAINED BY THEIR STAFF! I ALSO LEARNED ALL MY LEGAL RIGHTS LIKE STATUE OF LIMATATIONS HAHA ,

[jedf666]

Thank you for sharing the documentary.

[sccarnero]

my name is adrian carnero ya #79820i was in 1998 1999 it was the most horible time of my life it was more horible than prison i was only 14 and witnesed alot of carnage god bless too those that are staying strong and rest in peace too those that didnt make it

[dphkid4life]

to ishoot627s i am 17 years old ive been to juvenile hall from there tranffereed to the whetscenter from ther the sacramento county boys ranch for 5 programs. ive never been to CYA but ill tell u that yall staffs arent innocent you guys push our buttons on purpose we already be goin through so much shit.. yall just make it worser.

[ishoot627s]

I worked in the CYA for 7 years. These "Kids" assaulted me 4 times, Once disabling me for the rest of my life. Having my Knee kicked backwards, Chest stomped, Sternum broken, rotator cuff torn, I am sorry, But I have little empathy for the SCUM bag gang members in that system, Of course I tried to help many wards who wanted it, But to say they are children is a joke. Wake up. I don't buy the poor me crap they are spouting, after all I lived it. I live with the pain everyday for trying to "Help"

[nwselect1]

And I have no empathy for you. 4 assaults in 7 years is nothing to complain about. CYA #44715

[ishoot627s]

@nwselect1 That's OK, I wouldn't ask for Empathy from Scum. I am very happy with my life. I don't need a punk gang to feel like a man.

[nwselect1]

@ishoot627s Your response shows the attitude that got you assaulted. While trying to do you "job" and "help".

[carrillop2]

Im pretty sure that in CYA there is more violent youths than there is in Missouri.

[420skywalkerkush]

aye in y.a they get hooked up the homie has a cell phone in there ha

[queputoque14]

free all my enes up in cya

[ArtMassacre]

it's a money making business. young people, don't fuck up or you will place yourself in the hands of the system. if you're troubled, read, go to school... if you can't do either because your area is full of crime, try to move out of the area to somewhere you can better yourself. in the end, hardly anyone gives a shit about your problems anyway. why mess yourself up more by getting mixed up with the wrong lifestyle?figure a way out! the way into trouble is easy&they need you locked up to get paid

[1975GILL]

I was in and out from ya from 91 to 99 yea you do get hardcore some of us do but at least it gives you sometime to grow up and see what life is really about. and all this feeling bad about doing the time locked up, so what thats what your their for shit to do time, I never bitched about doing my time I just did it

[arc1929]

Why is it that African American is the only race on the pie chart that has the word American associated with it?

[theREPLICANT99]

#63937 paso robles 92-99 nipomo san simeon los robles fire camp. Category 1.

I got alot of stories to tell.. Some good, mostly bad. Been debating on whether to write a book about it?

[yungthrilla43]

my cya # is #66631 been to Preston, FC Nelles, YTS, KArl Holton and paso robles

[ste670ler]

keep your dumbass out of trouble and you wont get beat , that simple

[TonyBambino]

@ste670ler You're right they should stay out of trouble...but in YA it doesn't matter you're going to get into AT LEAST one fight. My breh told me the first day he was in he got into a fight...these are immature kids who want to test everyone.

[MONEYMAKINGBOYZ]

Are they about to shut down CYA

[XMobgangsta4]

You CYA babies are some fools!

[LionKingSDJ]

74431--1995-1999--Three years at Nelles and a year at Dewitt. Beatings, Raping, Stabbings...and that's just the STAFF!!! Thieving, Racist Gang Members jumped me on a daily basis. I went in weighing 208 pounds and four months later I weighed 136 at 6'2". If you've never had MACE sprayed into your ear at point-blank range, I can liken it to having water stuck in your ear after swiming. However, with handcuffs on you can't bang the side of your head to get it out...and it's like liquid fire! REJECT

[knivesaretoomessy]

are there NAZIS in cya????

bloods??

crips???

[mrcekjr]

I was at stockton in 90-92 it was hard. changed me I always feel fear when alone. was put on meds that changed my memories. I was able to work in the central kitchen for 12 hrs a day so I wasn't on the halls that much. but it was so much worse then any adult prison. I seen guys stabbed. I was stabbed in back of my head. seen a guys face cracked open with a lock. these places are just plain evil.

[aznwarrior76]

CYA turns youths who have made mistakes into hardened criminals. They go in as ward of the court and come out as a convict. The whole system is corrupt. The COs are worse than the inmates. I spent 3 years in YA and learned more from the convicts than from the staff. Most of the staff would let sit on their asses when someone was getting jumped. I have even witness staff placing bets. Shut down CYA and open up more programs like Boy's Republic and Maheo. Education is the key to rehabilitation.

[twentynothing]

6:26 WTF that's jail?!?! That's nicer than the house I grew up in

CYA fucked up big time...

most dudes I knew who went in as sorta bad kids... just became straight up ruthless like 5 years afterwards... could barely recognize a brother

[smalls559]

Bull crap!

These dumb ass kids deserve it!

Look at them they went in and still proudly announce there YA #

[beast84741]

84741

[bakedtillcrispy]

Its a # none of us will forget, thats all you ate when your in the system a # that they get 30 gz a year for.keep 559 out your chops

[kreepz714]

#82047 i was in HERMAN G STARK and let me tell you the stuff i seen go down in there was off the wall, the turtles(the co's) r fucn dicks.....Ive been mased rite in my eyes.I got in a fight rite after coming out of the shower,acting in self defense,staff still sprayed us while but naked,my dong was burning for reals lol

[player42082]

CYA #82694 Couple years in Paso Robles 99, Then Gladiator skool of hard knocks (YTS) Discharged in April 2007 and im glad I'm out that system. they need to shut that system down.since i went in im all fucked up and that system doesnt work. i wish someone would sue that system. cus i seen to much in their and that staff are just as corrupt as us. im not gonna speak on it. but trust me, if u knew what i knew. id have a lawsuit.

[bakedtillcrispy]

i was at NRCC,OH, paso robles and los robles fire camp. i was 15 when i went in came out when iwas 19 i was on parole for 6 long years. now im married one daughter and im in my 4th semester of college, i hate the youth authority i believe it should be shut down the staff are jerks,(most of them) they dont try to rehabilitate you,im glad i made it to camp iwas able to get away from all the politics and go home, shout out to all the homies its me bouncer

[salaz831salas]

preston cya 38957 i was in cya for 5 years it really helped me

[tomptsr]

#74030 95-97 i was looking at inkaoner i did the same thing cedar to arbor and then to buckeye working in the kitchen made it to first cook i think it was 35 cents an hour and i use to play in the band with mr clamentay i think it was

[GreenTortillas]

YA#65710 SRCC, FC Nelles, YTS, Ventura, NRCC, Preston, Pine Grove Fire Camp. 1992-1999

Graduated from Gladiator School with a PHD in Common Sense.

[inkaoner]

my ya#78643 1997-2001 started at srcc then preston in ione ca. I went to cedar then arbor. My peoples got me over to buckeye lodge. There I learned a good work ethic working in the F.E.A.S.T. (FOOD, EDUCATION, AND SERVICE TRAINING) cooking and serving staff,was like a restaurant in the streets. Then from there went to ventura fire camp. Learneed alot there got into shape,stayed outta trouble got my h.s.diploma. Now I'm married with 2 childeren and living life to the fullest

[rosaryfilms]

inkaoner, thank you very much for your comments and congrats on your new life and family!

[sundaycostaandfamily]

@rosaryfilms I was in Preston as well, I was in Buckeye where I worked in the kitchen, I was in band, I wasnt able to go to fire camp but I went to prison 2 times a year after I paroled from cya and after going to prison the second time I started my own tree service and I have been out of trouble for 8 years now...I met my wife and her 2 kids in 2003 and we had 2 more kids since....I now live in Kentucky with my wife and kids and I still own my own tree service.....

[rosaryfilms]

@sundaycostaandfamily - thank you for sharing -- I am glad to hear that things are going better for you...regards...

[chrissline77]

I raped this punk at the CYA in 1985.

[inkaoner]

Y.A. saved my life. Was at Preston. then shot me to Ventura Fire camp. 78643, shots out to the fellaz that was down with me!!

[2305newell]

anyone been to chad.......... lil term there myself...if so hit a brother up....23 swp nor cal crazy white....

[2305newell]

this is KRAZY ,,,straight sutter county peckerwood on mine...any homeboys lookin up the past and recognizes the name drop a kyte.....nor cal 23.........straight #80987....you know wut i mean

[BIGPIMP1963]

yo fuck tamarac....big respect 2 death,faces,monster,troll all the other homies I 4gott

[jessearlenehernandez]

WOW! Thank God my son never went to CYA. And I am a Hispanic Chicana!

[eviltreemonster]

I have never met any Chicanas. I am Bajan.

[victormendez1913]

shut your ass people you never been lock up in your life you dont know was up

[mg5679]

These idiots should have chosen college over prison.

[FinalBD]

sometimes its not like that....

[mg5679]

If you can't do the time don't do the crime.

Another concept would be don't break the law.

[FinalBD]

but some people have to break the law to survive... but other than that i dont know

[mg5679]

That is not a very good argument to justify there behavior. People have to help themselves. It is not the role of society to pay other peoples bills or provide them a job. People are responsible for themselves.

[FinalBD]

you must have a good life

[mg5679]

Yes I do have a good life cause I have had to work for everything I have gotten in life.

Nothing is handed to you. Society does not owe you anything.

[Iori400]

I think theres a contradiction in what you say..

Your pride of good life just shows your arrogance..

[mg5679]

How do you figure what I say is arrogant?

Its a fact no one owes you anything.

It is unfortunate if these offenders were abused but if you can't do the time then don't do the crime.

[Iori400]

1. While it is true that no one owes you anything, i find that hard to believe. You see depending on what society you live in, there are a few things you still owe to society.

2. I admire that you did work hard, but eventually it would start again, if you fail to meet your goals.

[chingochingo24]

CYA does help those who do want to reform. For those who don't want to reform go on to adult prison because they want too not because the system fails. Think a life of crime is the only thing most people have especially if their parents are locked up, that is what some of these young adults look forward too. Seeing dad again and making him proud. There are some young adults that do make it. If you hate the CYA it is a good thing that means you won't come back.....

[Kelvin3x]

Just watched the prison movie "Felon". Now my mind is racing about prisons/jails. Anyone who's experienced prison/jail I would like for you to answer a question for me.

Do you feel it is possible to create your own world (so to speak) on the inside by projecting peace, love, kindness, honesty, and all things positive from within yourself?

[cali92028]

fuck no u cant create your own world. if u are all alone they will punk you make them your bitch and rape you threw the ass

[Kelvin3x]

Obviously jail isn't a place where most inmates have learned about the power of Love, Peace, Kindness and Compassion or else they wouldn't be there.

Have YOU personally ever tried doing so using only positive energies?

[jackbelias]

Awwe prison sucks. You would think we would be fair enough to reward them for rape and murder. They need milk and cookies, and a nice bedtime story, not a cold cell. Xbox 360s with complete games libraries in every room would make life better for young sociopaths.

Well, then again maybe murder and rape does earn a cold boring cell. Maybe they would never see the inside of such a place if they had acterd like civilized human beings in the first place? Prison is supposed to suck!

[Juckpulver]

The cages in the class at Preston was the result of several wards slashing themselves during class.

[juono123]

Laura Talkington, how dare you question our correctional system when you as a parent could not control your CRIMINAL. Shut the fuck up and stop having future criminals who will give you welfare and become a burden on TAXPAYERS.

[hyuhlee]

CYA how could i get that out of my head...87614 that was my number.Ron Latimer was my counselour the onlee good one there.i remember getting hit on when i was in the kitchen of mira loma amd how fucked up this system is.

[sfields619]

so basically from reading everyones comments of people who actually been in CYA, i can assume that CYA makes youth worse, not better. Its just like adult pen. People come out worse then they went in. I have been thinking about working for CYA when i graduate but i dont believe in treating kids like shit and neglecting them just to "teach them a lesson". CYA = kiddie prison and thats it.

[sfields619]

its a hipocracy that these CYA counselors and gaurds are supposed to be teaching them against violence are actually using violence to control these kids. All this is is kiddie prison.

[jackbelias]

"actually using violence to control these kids."

Many facilities do the opposite. Staff cant even defend themselves during an attack. POs act more like mothering social workers than POs, so we often had to just allow them to commit violence against eachother and us on several occasions.

I punished 5 youth by locking them down for a week after they ganged up on another youth in the transport I was driving. The POs and families managed to reverse the punishment, they got to laugh it off.

[70blazer1]

65254, 1992 till 1994

Fu%% the gs and the yc with your punk as$ level B,

You get close to doing good and they write you up and bump you back, Fuc$ YC Myron In preston in 94 and punk as$ tamarac

[jefpro]

My point is Prison and Jail guards are callous, uncaring pricks who only breed resentment and hostility by humiliating people and treating them worse then animals. tens10tens is right,its a ruined system where your treated like shit from first contact.

[jefpro]

I myself in county in the drunk tank overnight and asked for toilet paper and was ignored by the guards. Then when I started having a fit for it they locked me in a restraining chair for 3 hours where I shit on myself and sat in it. This despite the fact that the law states that all prisoners are to be provided with basic hygiene supplies as needed, and I was in there because I was drunk and happened to fall down in front of a cop while walking home.

[jackbelias]

"I was drunk and happened to fall down in front of a cop while walking home."

Ok I can see you having a complaint, but most of the youth in said places are not just people who got drunk and fell down. Gangbangers are common, rapists, murderers, sociopathic home invasion crews, etc... They deserve no pity, they can feel free to wipe with the same bare hand they eat with in my opinion. They act like animals on the outside because they think it fun, the price to pay for fun is often well earned.

[jefpro]

cont.d Then when he got to the hospital turned out his ankle was shattered and he needed major surgery. He ended up with a five inch plate on one side,a four 1/2 inch plate on the other and 12 screws holding it altogether. Now Im no doctor, but it seems to me that with that kind of an injury the "trained medical staff" would have been able to tell before six hours that he needed more then to lay down with tylenol and an ice pack! And this guy was in 120 for bad checks.

[xXwhitexshadowXx]

and you think military school is bad...

[samuelgu1]

I am a success story coming from the CYA in 1989. I spent 5 years there my first year was entirely in SRCC then two years at Fred C. Nelles, where I escaped and was sent to Youth Training School in Chino. I was there for property crimes. I counted 35 fights in one year at Nelles because I was bored! I am a former US Marine and have been a Correctional Officer for over 15 years now! I still have nightmares about the Youth Authority!

[Juckpulver]

This is misleading. Furniture in CYA. It would be destroyed and used as weapons in one day.

[rolop1b24]

all you with the "hug a thug" mentality are very confused and mislead, i bet you have no experience working in a jail, you shouldnt have an opinion. somtimes you show compassion and sometimes you have to be a hard ass as a correctional officer, its a balance. but i do not feel sorry for these "children" which theyre not. children dont kill, stab, rape and rob citizens. children play sports and go to school. IF YOU DONT LIKE JAIL THEN DONT BREAK THE LAW.TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS!!!

[jefpro]

Shit I have a very close family member who broke his leg in a 120 institution. The medical staff "let him lay down" and gave him tylenol and an ice pack for it. He spent six hours on a table shaking and passing in and out of consciousness before they finally decided he needed further care. Then when transport came to take him to get X-rayed they gave him crutches and had him walk down two flights of stairs.

[trans416]

it's not that bad, not until you reach down south when all the mexicans try to gain up on you. not being racist but that's the truth,

[savybaby209]

WHERE iS THiS AT iN CALiFORNiA???????

[twinkster3000]

read the fucking title dumass

[savybaby209]

FUCK U BiTCH i SAiD WHiCH ONE RETARD!!!!!THERES MORE THAN ONE CYA DUMBASS iF U LiVE iN CALiFORNiA U SHOULD KNO!!!!!!SO i DONT KNO WHO U THiNK UR CALLiN A DUMBASS BUT U BETTA CHECK YOSELF FAASSSSSST BRUH!!!!!1

[capitalistinside]

From F.C. Nelles to Preston to Chad--all of those places were tough. It felt like a huge trap for a lot of the guys I knew in there. I purposely assaulted (not proud of it) a staff member so that I could catch another felony case and get out of there to go to prison. ANYTHING to get the hell out of there! Eight years of my life was wasted. I take full responsibility for my past actions, but I can never take that part of my life back. I emphatically hope that things get better.

[paleoroundtable]

Yeah like prison reform!

[luke1627]

could i get a direct copy of the video sent to me so i can use it for class that doesnt have the right electronics to view it on teh class computer?

[Waternbeer]

I went to NA Chadderjian or "CHad" and man the shit was nuts...i don't want to hear these posts about it hads to do with government and politics...no its prison politics. Some of you say you feel bad for us but realisticly we would stab, rape,rob and kill your entire family and you can thank this place for that...enjoy your lives

[GerrieCoetzee187]

Real Talk. Its all prison politics. Gladiator School. I really never had no moss wit staff.

[weirdasspunk]

Y.A. was the worst place i have been though

[rosaryfilms]

weirdasspunk, thank you very much for sharing your experiences and for your comments. I am sure your comments and experiences will help others in their lives. Regards...

[TonyBambino]

@weirdasspunk My brother went to YA when he was 16 or 17 he actually did one or two years in YA then ended up going to prison after he turned 18 (he ended up serving 5 or 6 years in the system). But anyways yeah, he told me YA was the WORST place he'd been much worse than prison. It's just a bunch of immature kids who think they have something to prove, he had been in a few fights and had told me of a few instances where he witnessed some horrible things like kids being raped and beaten.

[weirdasspunk]

i was in preston, dewitt, and chad. but i graduated h.s. in preston. now i am emt certified and drive ambulance's so i feel in some way im giving back to the community.

[weirdasspunk]

i was in ya just recently. And i think that ya was good for me because if i had'nt of went their i whould of probally ended up in prison. i wasnt violent person but inorder to make it in thier and not be a "case" or "b**ch" then i had to fight.sexually assaults do happen in thier alot. i remeber those two kids hanging them selfs i was in preston at the time and i understood why they did what they did ya can do that to you.

[infeeder]

in 9 years i saw no suicide, one killing, countless ward on ward assaults, me included, but i also witnessed on my graduating day from Cuesta college as 297 wards received a high school diploma, and 15 of my classmates receiving a 2 year degree in General studies. The opportunity is there.

[rosaryfilms]

infeeder, thank you for sharing that information with us and congratulations on receiving your degree!

[infeeder]

C.Y.A survivor here. Mr.63937 category 1 for all those who know what that means. Yeah i agree that y.a can be the hard road to finding out who you really are because of the need to constantly show the homies that you are down, but i escaped the norm through constantly educating myself. thats the answer. Education.

[rosaryfilms]

infeeder, thank you very much for sharing your experiences and comments with us! To have survived that place speaks well for you!

[BritishWatcher]

Very interesting video, thanks for uploading this. It amazes me how some people, usualy right wing republicans simply want to punish young people for petty crimes which makes them more likely to re offend in the future.

I saw a stat that California spends more money on its prisons than its schools. So much money could be saved if they focused on education.

Thanks again for posting this, hope things have improved now.

[rosaryfilms]

BritishWatcher, thank you very much for your comments and for watching!

[anner442]

This is an excellent look at the system and how it is not responsible for what its mission is. Look up the systems that actually rehabilitate. They are impressive statistics and it is something we really need to consider in California.  Why are we wasting our youth in this way? Can kids change? Yes, they can. Animals that are abused are difficult, sometimes impossible to rehabilitate...so much more true with humans.

[rosaryfilms]

anner442, thank you very much for your comments!!