Plaintiffs alleged youth center limited visits

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- A federal judge has overruled a Hinds County Youth Court judge's order limiting access by advocacy groups to children in the local juvenile jail violates protection and advocacy laws. The Clarion-Ledger reports the ruling by U.S. District Judge Daniel Jordan came after the Southern Poverty Law Center and Disability Rights Mississippi filed an emergency appeal. The groups have contended the county blocked their access to children at the Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Detention Center in retaliation for a federal lawsuit. The groups sued the center in June alleging the juveniles were subjected to abuse. The two groups monitor conditions at juvenile detention centers statewide. DRM is a nonprofit agency with a federal mandate to protect the rights of people with disabilities. Published: Thu, Jul 28, 2011