N.J. Detention Center Investigated

[Tsiyu]

Saturday, January 29, 2005 7:14 a.m. ET

By GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press Writer
CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) -- The director of the Camden County juvenile detention center ordered a roundup of youths under her office's supervision so the facility would receive more money from the state, according to a court transcript.

The allegation was made in October by Eva M. Johnson, the supervisor of electronic monitoring for the county, during a closed Family Court hearing. A transcript was released Friday, the first time details of the roundup have been made public.
Judge Louis Hornstine ordered the hearing after the mother of one of the boys taken into custody objected to her son being sent back to the juvenile center for no reason.

The claim reportedly launched a state and federal investigation of the Camden County Youth Center and its director, Mary Previte, who is also a state assemblywoman.

Johnson testified that she was told by Previte to round up children to increase the detention center's population on Oct. 15, which is known as National Count Day.

More:

http://wireservice.wired.com/wired/story.asp?section=Breaking&storyId=982577


Edited to add: Be VERY wary of the veracity of this story. Previte is a Dem, and the woman bringing charges is the SUPERVISOR OF ELECTRONIC MONITORING. Repukes are desperate and malicious, and this may be an example.

[Tsiyu]

1. Camden teen jail and director face U.S., state probes

BY RICK HEPP AND SUSAN K. LIVIO
Star-Ledger Staff
snip

"The seven-member county board of freeholders issued a statement last night to show its support for the long-time director.

"For almost 30 years, Mary Previte has served with pride and honor under Republican and Democratic administrations as director of the Camden County Youth Center," the statement said. "During that period of time, she has been a tireless advocate for children. She will continue to be such an advocate in carrying out her duties.

"An important part of her responsibility -- as is the case with all county officials -- is to protect the interests of taxpayers, and the county applauds her long-time dedication to that mission," the statement added.

Previte, the daughter of Methodist missionaries in China who was imprisoned as a child in a Japanese concentration camp during World War II, has built a reputation as an ardent advocate for troubled youth.

Officials were tight-lipped about the status of the investigation."
snip

more:

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-8/1104907253307830.xml