Montgomery County Increases Monitoring Staff; Offers Counseling in Wake of Noyes Disturbance

Header--Montgomery County, Maryland. Press Releases

Ma/noyes.pr 99-448

CONTACT: Mary Anderson, 240-777-6534 or
David Weaver, 240-777-6530

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 29, 1999

MONTGOMERY COUNTY INCREASES
MONITORING STAFF; OFFERS COUNSELING
IN THE WAKE OF NOYES DISTURBANCE

Montgomery County officials today increased monitoring staff at the Alfred E. Noyes Children's Center and offered crisis counseling to residents and staff in the aftermath of a disturbance last evening at the facility in Rockville.

Social workers from the County's Department of Health and Human Services have been in place at the Noyes Center since December 18 when Governor Parris Glendening asked all counties to provide independent monitors at juvenile facilities throughout the state to ensure no abuse occurs. Glendening's request came after reports of physical abuse by staff at boot-camp style detention camps across the state.

The decision to increase the number of monitors comes on the heels of a disturbance last night that has resulted in six residents being charged with second degree assault and destruction of property. Three additional residents will be charged with the same offenses later this week.

Mental health therapists from the County's Crisis Center will be providing three crisis de-briefing sessions to residents at the facility and arrangements are underway to provide de-briefing to staff as well.

Crisis de-briefing is a group process designed to assist people in coping with the stress associated with experiencing a traumatic event. Debriefings are focused on helping individuals cope with stressful situations by talking about the experience and learning about the signs and symptoms of stress.

"We've mobilized our resources to assist the residents at the Noyes Center," said Charles L. Short, director of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, "and we will continue to carry out the request of the state government to monitor the facility."

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