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Marion County Juvenile Detention Center Director Charles Parkins

Marion County Juvenile Detention Center Director Charles Parkins

Marion County Juvenile Court Judge Marilyn Moores

Marion County Juvenile Court Judge Marilyn Moores

Therapy dog Bentley

Therapy dog Bentley

In his first extended media interview and first with Black media, Marion County Juvenile Detention Center Director Charles Parkins appeared on AM1310 The Light with Amos and Abdul to talk about his tenure at the Center and recent allegations of severe discipline problems and violent outbreaks.  Parks, accompanied by Juvenile Court Judge Marilyn Moores talked about his tenure at the Center which began in May of last year.  Parkins, who came to Indy from several years working as a top administrator in juvenile detention facilities in Florida, believes in more therapeutic discipline and behavior control with juvenile inmates.  One of those changes is the use of “therapy animals” to help establish rapport with juvenile inmates and help improve their behavior and morale.  Parkins was accompanied to the interview by Bentley, a Golden Retriever therapy dog that accompanies Parkins throughout the Juvenile Center.  Both Judges Moores and Parkins said that recent violent incidents at the Center were the result of two youth who got out of hand right after Thanksgiving.  Parkins denied there were control problems.  But Parkins did acknowledge that the Center has lost two of their three Black top administrators since his arrival.  Several volunteers with Juvenile Center programs called to express concern that there’d been no communication with them since Parkins arrival ten months ago.  While saying he had reached out to volunteers, Parkins praised the Center’s volunteer coordinator, but acknowledged she’s leaving.  Parkins said he was “committed” to continuing the Centers programs supported by volunteers.  Click the Arrow to hear the Full Interview with Juvenile Center Director Charles Parkins and Juvenile Court Judge Judge Marilyn Moores. Runs 61 Minutes ©2014 WTLC/Radio One.