Amid Reports of Violence NYS Delegation To Conduct Site Inspection Of Horizon Juvenile Center On July 20

Photos: YouTube Screenshots BRONX, NY: In response to recent reports detailing allegations of sexual assault, overcrowding, and deteriorating conditions at the Horizons Juvenile Center in The Bronx, Assembly Member Amanda Septimo and State Senators José M. Serrano and Luis R. Sepúlveda announced today that they will conduct a joint oversight inspection of the facility on Monday, July 20, 2026 at 10:00am as part of a broader effort to ensure the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every young person in government custody. The visit marks the beginning of a coordinated oversight initiative by The Bronx State delegation to evaluate conditions at the City-operated juvenile detention facility, review the adequacy of State oversight, and determine what additional legislative and executive actions may be necessary to protect youth and restore public confidence. “The allegations and reports surrounding Horizons are deeply troubling,” said Assembly Member Amanda Septimo. “Every young person placed in government custody deserves to be safe, treated with dignity, and provided an environment focused on rehabilitation, not further harm. As legislators, we have an obligation to see conditions firsthand, ask difficult questions, and ensure that every level of government is meeting its responsibility to protect these young people and the staff which works in the facility.” “When concerns are raised about the safety and well-being of young people in custody, it is important that we better understand the situation firsthand,” said Senator José M. Serrano. “This legislative session, I supported legislation signed into law to strengthen oversight and transparency in New York’s correctional facilities. Passing legislation is an important step, but effective implementation is just as important, and we look forward to working with the appropriate agencies to ensure those standards are carried out.” “The young people housed at Horizons are among the most vulnerable individuals in our care,” said Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda. “The purpose of juvenile detention is rehabilitation and public safety, not exposure to unsafe conditions or preventable harm. Our inspection is intended to gather facts, evaluate current conditions, and ensure that every responsible agency is held accountable for meeting its legal and moral obligations.” During Monday’s visit, the legislators will meet with facility leadership, review operational conditions, and seek information regarding: Recent reported incidents involving youth and staff safety; Facility population levels and overcrowding; Staffing levels, supervision protocols, and employee vacancies; Safety, security, and incident response procedures; Physical conditions throughout the facility; Mental health, behavioral health, and rehabilitative programming; and Existing oversight by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). Following the inspection, the legislators will hold a joint press conference to discuss the visit, outline next steps, and announce additional oversight actions. Among the actions under consideration are: Requesting an immediate compliance review by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services; Exploring formal legislative oversight hearings in both the New York State Assembly and Senate to examine conditions at Horizons and the broader juvenile justice system; Calling upon the New York City Council and the Office of the Mayor to undertake a comprehensive review of recent incidents and facility operations; Evaluating whether an independent monitor should be appointed if investigations identify persistent systemic deficiencies requiring ongoing external oversight; and Pursuing additional legislative or administrative reforms to strengthen accountability, improve transparency, and ensure the safety of youth in custody. The lawmakers emphasized that Monday’s inspection is intended to gather facts and assess conditions firsthand and should not be interpreted as reaching conclusions before the appropriate reviews are completed. “Our responsibility is simple,” the legislators said in a joint statement. “Children in government custody deserve to be safe. Families deserve transparency. Staff deserve the resources necessary to perform this difficult work effectively. The public deserves confidence that our juvenile justice system is operating with accountability, integrity, and humanity. Monday’s visit is the first step in what will be a sustained oversight effort to ensure those standards are met.” A joint media availability will follow the inspection on Monday at 11:00am at 560 Brook Ave, Bronx, NY 10455.