Nine juveniles escaped from Abraxas Academy, a juvenile detention center in Pennsylvania, on Sunday night after a riot broke out at the facility, authorities said.
The riot began around 8 p.m. when a group of juveniles started fighting and damaging property, according to the Caernarvon Township Police Department. Staff at the facility attempted to break up the fight, but they were overwhelmed.
The juveniles then overpowered the staff and escaped from the facility. Police and other law enforcement agencies responded to the scene and quickly regained control of the facility.
The nine juveniles who escaped were all between the ages of 14 and 18. They were all wearing white and gray shirts and shorts at the time of their escape.
Police are still searching for the escaped juveniles. They have asked the public to contact them if they see any of the juveniles.
Abraxas Academy is a secure residential treatment program for delinquent male youth between the ages of 14 and 18. The program is designed to provide specialized care for juveniles who have been adjudicated delinquent and who have a history of serious behavioral problems.
The riot and escape at Abraxas Academy is the latest incident in a recent string of escapes from juvenile detention facilities in Pennsylvania. In August, two juveniles escaped from a facility in Philadelphia. And in July, a juvenile escaped from a facility in Pittsburgh.
The escapes from juvenile detention facilities in Pennsylvania have raised concerns about the safety and security of these facilities. Some experts have called for reforms to the juvenile detention system in Pennsylvania, including increased staffing levels and improved training for staff.
Here are some additional details about the riot and escape at Abraxas Academy:
- The riot began around 8 p.m. on Sunday, September 18, 2023.
- A group of juveniles started fighting and damaging property.
- Staff at the facility attempted to break up the fight, but they were overwhelmed.
- The juveniles then overpowered the staff and escaped from the facility.
- Nine juveniles escaped. They were all between the ages of 14 and 18 and were wearing white and gray shirts and shorts.
- Police are still searching for the escaped juveniles.
- Abraxas Academy is a secure residential treatment program for delinquent male youth between the ages of 14 and 18.
- The riot and escape at Abraxas Academy is the latest incident in a recent string of escapes from juvenile detention facilities in Pennsylvania.
The riot and escape at Abraxas Academy raise a number of concerns, including:
- The safety and security of juvenile detention facilities in Pennsylvania.
- The staffing levels and training of staff at juvenile detention facilities in Pennsylvania.
- The effectiveness of the juvenile detention system in Pennsylvania.
Some experts have called for reforms to the juvenile detention system in Pennsylvania, including:
- Increased staffing levels.
- Improved training for staff.
- More focus on rehabilitation and restorative justice.