INCARCERATION #1:
WHEN did Brent end up in Lower Buckeye Jail the first time? It took 5 DAYS to locate him! He never saw any JUVENILE HOLDING FACILITY. Lost or lied about? For 4 months, he remained in the general population, subject to racial in-fighting among the inmates and frequent tasing of the youth there. During his first bout in LBJ, Brent was beat up 5 times, but unable to press charges: we didn't know if he would return to the same environment. Obviously, no one THERE protected him!
He put himself into Protective Custody (isolation) to avoid race wars and gang initiations, and to get away from the tasing. He chose 23 hours locked in his cell every day for the next 3 months... and was beaten again by 2 inmates for the 6th time, in PC with only four kids on the floor! WHERE WERE THE DETENTION OFFICERS? They didn't notice his entire face was swollen, he had massive black eyes, and one of his front teeth had busted clean in two until they brought him into court the NEXT DAY!
INCARCERATION #2:
At the Plea Agreement Hearing on 8 May 2008, Brent was taken back into custody and immediately returned to Lower Buckeye Jail, NOT A JUVENILE FACILITY!!! One section of LBJ is dedicated to persons under 18 years of age, kids charged as and considered ADULTS. The ONLY reason there is separation is to avoid "child abuse" and lawsuits of that nature. Apparently this means government can abuse them during their formative years, but can be sued for letting "other inmates OVER 18" abuse them?
When we spoke to the D.O. in charge of the juvenile floor, he expressed his belief that the Judge was able to send kids home on probation, and was surprised to find out that only the Prosecutor could grant that temporary "freedom." He also asked us WHY Brent was being held until his sentencing. We did not know that almost everyone goes into custody at the Sentencing Hearing. Andrew Thomas took our son SIX WEEKS EARLIER than necessary to stop medical testing and therapy, so we'd have even LESS evidence to fight the Plea Agreement, and derail his overly exaggerated theory and outright lies.
Brent went back into Protective Custody, locked down 23 hours per day in total isolation from other human beings, at his own request. The Lt. was kind enough to speak with us regarding Brent's physical condition as well as his medication needs, and to act on our (AND HIS OWN) concerns regarding that looming vegetative state, which could result from a single blow to the head... or not.
Brent was NOT allowed his regular medication for 8 days after being taken into custody... even though abrupt removal from prescribed antidepressants often results in suicide in teenagers. Since being reinstated, medication has been sporadic and unmonitored by medical personnel, and no therapy or counseling of any kind. NO proof against the Prosecutor's allegation of a violent and UN-rehabilitable nature can be allowed while under Andrew Thomas' thumb. Is it JUSTICE to deny Brent these things that can and will rehabilitate him, so early in the formative years? What's REALLY the point of "punishment" here?
NOTE: The jail's psychiatric department FINALLY contacted us, the night BEFORE sentencing, so they could get started. Six weeks later, and just as he's being moved.... Convenient? Sure.
