Allegations Against Camp Erwin Owen Juvenile Detention Facility

Located in Kernville, California, Camp Erwin Owen is a boy’s juvenile detention camp operated by the Kern County Probation Department. Across California, hundreds of survivors have already filed lawsuits against county juvenile detention facilities alleging sexual abuse, neglect, and systemic failures. While Camp Irwin Owen itself has not been named in a lawsuit, the facility has already been cited for chronic staffing shortages, low pay, and high burnout rates, conditions that foster unsafe environments for youth in custody.

A 2025 Kern County grand jury report confirmed these issues, describing widespread understaffing and difficulty attracting qualified officers. Such problems raise questions about oversight and the ability of staff to ensure youth safety and well-being. Under California and federal law, minors in detention are entitled to protection from all forms of abuse, including sexual misconduct, physical violence, and neglect. When these rights are violated, survivors and their families have several options for reporting abuse, seeking justice, and pursuing a civil lawsuit.

Survivors can report incidents to local law enforcement, the Office of Youth and Community Restoration, or the California Bureau of Children’s Justice. Reports can be made confidentially, even if the abuse happened years ago. Outside of criminal reporting, impacted individuals may have the right to file a civil lawsuit against the abuser and the county institutions potentially responsible, such as the Kern County Probation Department. Unlike criminal prosecution, civil lawsuits focus on accountability and financial compensation for medical repair, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering.

Under Assembly Bill 218, survivors may file a civil lawsuit until their 40th birthday or within 5 years of discovering the harm. A newer law, Assembly Bill 452, eliminated the statute of limitations entirely for abuse that occurred on or after January 1st, 2024, allowing victims to come forward whenever they are ready. If you or a loved one experienced sexual abuse while detained at Camp Erwin Owen or another juvenile facility, know that you have legal rights.

At Helping Survivors, we can connect individuals impacted by sexual abuse with experienced trauma-informed attorneys who offer free consultations and work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs to talking with someone and pursuing a claim. To learn more about your rights, please contact Helping Survivors today.