For the Tomahawk Leader
MADISON – The latest report from the court-ordered Monitor for Lincoln Hills School/Copper Lake School (LHS/CLS) in Irma found the Department of Corrections (DOC) “in partial or substantial compliance with every aspect of the consent decree stemming from a 2017 lawsuit against the previous administration over conditions at LHS/CLS,” according to a Tuesday, April 20 release from DOC.
Monitor Teresa Abreu, accompanied by an attorney from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), visited the schools on March 19 and interviewed 48 youth and 33 staff members.
According to the release, Abreu noted a “significant improvement in many key areas and in the overall atmosphere” at LHS/CLS, while also “pointing out some areas for improvement.”
DOC said it was praised for “increasing staff-led activities for youth,” “incorporating the Psychological Services Unit more into daily operations,” “resuming in-person education,” and “training/ongoing implementation of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), the new behavior management system at the schools.”
The report said use of mechanical restraints on youth decreased 63% between Dec. 2020 and Feb. 2021.
The use of Administrative Confinement decreased by 36% over the same period. In Nov. 2020, the average length was 143 minutes, which was reduced to 74 minutes in Feb. 2021.
“The report also singled out some of the programs for youth at the schools, including art, gardening, welding and a new music program being offered under psychological services,” DOC stated.
Abreu’s report said the youth’s projects were “very impressive” and that “creative outlet is meaningful for youth who are in prime stages of identity development.”
“(Abreu) suggested LHS/CLS explore ways to offer these programs on nights and weekends to prevent idleness and boredom, which she believes has contributed to past behavior issues among youth at the schools during the pandemic,” DOC said. “She also recommends LHS/CLS continue working towards a full schedule that provides meaningful activities and accountability for youth.”
“We’re really excited about our growing arts programming, especially our music program,” said DOC Division of Juvenile Corrections Administrator Ron Hermes. “It’s important to offer youth culturally relevant programs that provide them the opportunity to express themselves creatively. We are seeing the therapeutic impact that music has on our youth, and we are seeing that we have some very talented young writers and musicians who have something important to say through their music.”
DOC said the report also highlighted “the need for DOC to make staff wellness a major focus moving forward,” adding that the report “finds staff morale seemed improved over the previous visit and staff were more engaged with youth, but some staff appeared exhausted and stressed.”
“Staff expressed concerns about having fewer ‘tools’ available to manage behavior, youth acting out and working a significant amount of overtime,” DOC stated. “The Monitor emphasizes ‘staff wellness is a complex issue that impacts the overall culture, atmosphere and environment of the facility.’”
DOC said it has “put added focus on communications with staff, including regularly-scheduled town hall meetings with the Superintendent of the schools” to help address concerns from staff. According to the release, Abreu suggested “DOC continue its work to improve the new behavior management system, progressing with DBT and improving youth incentives to help alleviate behavioral incidents.”
Teachers were brought back on-site in March to resume in-person education, both in the school building and in housing units, for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring.
“The past Monitor’s report found remote learning was starting to have a negative impact on overall youth behaviors,” DOC said. “In this report, she said she was, ‘pleased to see that during this site visit, youth were actively engaged in education both on and off the unit … There was a much more positive energy during this site visit.’”
To view the full report, visit www.bit.ly/2QHVJW1.