5 Officials Ousted After Boot Camp Abuse Charges
The secretary of the state Department of Juvenile Justice was forced out along with four other officials Wednesday amid allegations that juvenile delinquents at Maryland’s military-style boot camps were abused by guards.
Secretary Gilberto de Jesus and three other officials who oversaw the program resigned at the demand of Gov. Parris Glendening. De Jesus’ deputy refused to quit and was fired.
“Every indication we’ve had is that there were abuses,” the governor said.
Juveniles testified before a judge last week that guards had thrown them through windows, stuck thumbs in their eyes and routinely beat them.
The governor suspended the boot camp program Saturday and asked the commander of the Maryland National Guard to supervise the juveniles at the three camps.
A criminal investigation also is underway to determine whether any of the guards committed child abuse.
Inmates at the three boot camps are called cadets and wear military-style fatigue uniforms.
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