Summary of Memorandum of Understanding for the Nevada Youth Training Center (NYTC) and The United States Department of Justice
On December 6, 2001 the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) notified the State of its intent to investigate conditions of confinement at the Nevada Youth Training Center (NYTC), pursuant to the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. In February of 2002, the DOJ and its expert consultants toured the facility and during an exit conference outlined its preliminary findings and recommendations. During the course of the investigation the DOJ recognized the State's complete cooperation and the open access to the facility and its documents. They also recognized the assistance of the Training Center staff and the Administrator for the Division of Child and Family Services for their cooperation.
From the time of the investigation in February 2002, the State of Nevada and the Training Center began stringent efforts to address the concerns brought forward by the DOJ. In November of 2002, the DOJ issued findings that outlined the concerns present at the Training Center. The State of Nevada maintained their position that conditions had not violated the rights of youth in the facility. The DOJ also acknowledged that the State had engaged in significant activities to improve the quality of the conditions present at the facility. The result of this process was the signing of a memorandum of understanding on February 26, 2004, in which the DOJ and the State have agreed to the implementation of changes to improve conditions and services to Nevada's youth over the next two years. On May 26, 2004, the State submitted a progress report to the DOJ reflecting the improvements to date at the facility. The State is looking forward to the next visit of the DOJ that will take place in July of this year.