Probation takeover looming

After three years of federal monitoring, the Los Angeles County Probation Department missed Monday's deadline for overhauling its 14 juvenile camps, raising the possibility of a takeover by the U.S. Justice Department. Christijna Villacorte in the Daily News.

Under an agreement signed Oct. 31, 2008, the agency was given three years to attain substantial compliance with 41 reforms, such as preventing "abusive institutional practices," swiftly investigating child abuse allegations and implementing effective rehabilitation and behavior management.

Acting Chief Cal Remington estimated the department had implemented more than 90 percent of the mandated changes. He conceded, however, that he was unsure whether progress was sufficient to keep the Justice Department from taking over the juvenile camp operation.