The Civil Services Employees Association (CSEA), New York's leading civil service employee's union, is calling upon the county to end what they refer to as "decades of decay at the Nassau County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC)." Union officials refer to conditions at the Westbury-based facility, which operates under the county's Department of Social Services, as "unacceptable" and took Nassau Legislators on a tour March 28.

According to CSEA Nassau Local President Jerry Laricchiuta, union members who work at the detention center contacted him last summer expressing concern for the conditions at their workplace. As a result, Laricchiuta toured the JDC on three separate occasions - August 2005, November 2005 and February 2006 - and found conditions to be in serious disrepair.

"When we walked through we found sweltering conditions in many areas, mold on pipes in the basement, broken tiles, holes and water leaks in the walls and ceiling. We also suspect there may be asbestos in the boiler room," Laricchiuta said. "Each time I came, it seemed like the conditions were getting worse."

Although he admits the place has improved, cosmetically, since his visit two months ago, he said it's not enough. "They have painted, swept and mopped but there is only so much you can do with a broken toy. The place is broken and needs to be fixed. Cosmetics aren't going to work any more. That's the band-aid approach and they have been doing that for 51 years," Laricchiuta said. "The place needs a major revamping. We are talking infrastructure and the sooner the better."

Of the current conditions, CSEA Unit President for Nassau County's Department of Social Services Robert Cauldwell said, "It needs to be updated. It's like stepping back in time when you go in there. It's pretty much as it was in 1955. The time has come for it to be upgraded." He added that the facility has antiquated windows, asbestos and improper toilet facilities for the detainees. "Out of 32 rooms, only three have toilet facilities. The rest of them have to bang on the door and wait for someone to come. It's hard on the staff and it's hard on the kids too," said Cauldwell.

The JDC was built in 1955 and has not been renovated for nearly three decades with the exception of a back wing consisting of classroom, library and gymnasium space added on in 1978. As Nassau County Legislators toured the facility March 28, they were made aware of the not so stellar conditions inside the building. In addition to the moldy pipes, they were faced with soiled mattresses with plastic covers, inadequate bathroom facilities and basically obsolete locking and fire/emergency systems.

"I was surprised at how austere the conditions are there. It looked like something out of a third world country, especially some of the [holding] cells," said Legislator Richard Nicolello, describing them as small cinder block rooms with concrete floors, metal beds with plastic mattresses that "look like they have been there since the place opened in 1955." "It's really a cold environment," he said. "You could bring high school classes in there and it would scare the wits out of them. It's too severe. We need to spend some money to upgrade this facility."

Legislator Dennis Dunne compared the JDC's interior appearance to the "dungeons of the 1600s." "That is what it felt like going through the hallways where the kids sleep and spend most of their days. This is not what rehabilitation is supposed to be about. I'm not saying give them color TVs in each room, but if you are going to punish them, don't put them in dungeons," Dunne said.

According to Legislator Jeffrey Toback, the county is scheduled to spend millions of dollars on the JDC over the next couple of years. "It certainly needs it. It's an important facility. These are kids who are on the brink of deciding if they are going to go the right way or the wrong way with their lives and we have to invest in them," said Toback. "It was very useful that the CSEA brought both sides of the aisle together so that we could see things firsthand. "

Legislator David Mejias added, "The conditions are less than ideal ... It shouldn't have to be jail, it should be more of a rehabilitation facility. We need to be careful that we don't set a jail mentality into the kids who have to stay at the detention center."

Laricchiuta told Anton Newspapers that the New York Power Authority has put in a bid for $1.2 million to cover a new roof, new installation, all new windows and a completely new heating and cooling system. "That, right there, would make this place do a 180 degree turnaround. Just the [improved] air quality alone, would make this a much more viable place to work and reside," said Laricchiuta. "There is money in the budget under the Capital Plan to revamp the Juvenile Detention Center but it will take three years. We can't wait that long." He added that for $49,000, the facility can be cleaned from head to toe. "I urge the county to do that right now. In 2006."

According to Nicolello, money currently exists in the capitol plan for upgrades at the detention center in the upcoming years. "The money has been allotted for future years, with some of these projects not slated to start until 2007 or 2008. The question is whether we want to move them up and accelerate that. It's not that you want [the detention center] to be a pleasant place, but I do not think you want it to be that severe."

Added Mejias, "The county has put money in the budget for it. We're dealing with a union and their biggest concern is working conditions, which are being addressed. We're moving forward on a number of issues."

Improving conditions at the JDC would make the facility safer and healthier for not only the detainees, but also the approximately 60 union members who work there, said CSEA. Communications Specialist Rachel Langert added, "It may not be a smoking gun in terms of health and safety, but the thing is the detainees who come through here are transient. They come through, are here for a few weeks, a month, and then they are gone," Langert said. "My people work here for 10, 15, 20, 30 years. They are here for the duration. The problems and the issues that the detainees face in terms of health and safety are also my people's issues. What's bad for them is just as bad for us but over a longer and more extended period of time."

CSEA Long Island Region President Nick LaMorte added, "These conditions are unacceptable. These people already have a tough job dealing with juveniles - some of them gang members - who are charged with assault and all kinds of crimes. Nassau needs to show some respect for our workers and for the people we serve by fixing up the Juvenile Detention Center now."

As part of their quest, CSEA reps are also advocating that the county offer better employee incentives. "The job is low-paid. Workers stay here for many years with little or no opportunity for advancement," Cauldwell said, adding that the county should offer promotional exams and move people up."

Currently, the JDC employs one youth group worker while the remaining employees hold the title of youth group worker aide. Such positions are classified as grade five on the county's salary scale, meaning JDC workers earn between $18,000 and $21,000 a year. "These employees need to be promoted to youth group worker. They have been doing the same job for years just as aides and the salaries are dismal," Cauldwell said. "They have been dedicating many years of their lives to this and they are not getting much pay for it."