Early Problems at Youth Detention Center
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Recent data shows a troubled youth development center in Middle Tennessee was having problems in the months leading up to 32 teens escaping from the facility.
The information obtained by The Tennessean (http://tnne.ws/1pooNan) shows between January and early September, there were 145 reported incidents of violence at Woodland Hills.
That included 39 assaults by teens on other teens, 51 assaults by teens on staff and 55 fights between the youths, who typically range in age from 14 to 19.
The teens who escaped on Sept. 1 did so by crawling under a weak spot in the perimeter fence. Two days later, riots broke out on the grounds of the facility, with teens brandishing fire extinguishers and sticks.
All but two of the teens have been recaptured.
