C.C. McKenna

Blood on The Field

Chapter Twenty-One

Caged.

"Is everything ready?" Prue asked softly while she grabbed the leather suitcase and placed it on the floor.

"Yes, everything she needs is inside the bag" Piper replied; her voice was merely a soft whisper.

"I can't believe you guys are letting them take her away from us" Phoebe shook her head and gently pushed back her black specs with her index finger. "She has explained everything, she's innocent, and she's not a drug dealer, much less a drug-addict; she said the only medication she had been taking is her heart treatment and a few red little pills for a headache that Dr. Yin prescribed"

"I know" Prue replied coldly. "We just need time to prove her innocence, and I swear to you we are going to prove it."

"Sorry Miss Halliwell... it's time" Detective Stern knocked on the door and showed only her head without entering.

Patty entered the room with a wheelchair for Lexie. The latter stood on her feet and pushed away the chair with anger. Prue walked slowly to her sister and wrapped her arms around her. "It's ok sweetie, you don't have to use it if you don't want to"

"Of course I don't... I can perfectly walk by myself, I'm not crippled" Lexie spoke with difficulty; her voice was harsh and crude and her throat hurt a lot whenever she spoke. Detective Stern walked inside and signaled the two women cops, dressed in perfectly ironed uniforms to come inside. Piper shut her eyes when she looked at the cold unsympathetic faces of the police officers and placed her hand on her chest. One of the cops grabbed Lexie's arm and violently turned her around, forcing the girl's chest on top of the bed. The other cop quickly shoved Lexie's face down, holding it still; then both officers bent Lexie's arms on her back and brutally handcuffed her; The latter tightened her lips releasing a small cry of pain when they pulled her up from bed.

"Hey!" Piper shouted to the cops. "What are you doing to her? ... She's just a harmless kid... and that's, that's police brutality"

"Miss Halliwell, please... they are just doing their job" Detective Stern cut in.

"But why the handcuffs? She's not dangerous, for God's sake!" Piper cried.

"Is that really necessary?" Prue asked softly.

"Handcuffs? Are they using handcuffs on her?" Phoebe walked carefully towards the bed but the officers rapidly took Lexie outside before she could reach her baby sister.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

"Can I ride with her?" Prue asked standing beside the patrol car, watching the fear on her sister's face.

"I'm sorry, but it's against regulations" Detective Stern answered coldly as she opened the back door of the car.

"Prue... I'm innocent, you have got to believe in me" Lexie's eyes connected with Prue's for a couple of seconds.

"I know baby... Of course I believe you, and I swear I'm going to get you out of that place sooner that you think..." One of the officers pushed Lexie's head down and brutally shoved her in the back seat of the police car, shutting the door immediately afterwards. Prue glared at the hideous police officer and swallowed her anger to avoid her little sister unnecessary troubles with the stupid cop. She then turned to the car, placed her hand on the window, and fixed her gaze on her sister's misty eyes. "I love you," she whispered. Lexie's almost imperceptibly smile was quickly sheltered in Prue's heart.

Piper hugged Phoebe tighter as she watched the car pulling away from them. She couldn't believe what was going on; it was ironic and stupid the way it all turned out to be for her sister, but she wasn't going to accept it; she had made a promise to her baby sister and she was going to keep it. "I'll find out the truth sweetie... just hang on" she whispered to the air but Phoebe listened clearly to her sister's words. "And I'll help you" She softly added.

Patty walked silently toward them and handed a pamphlet to Piper. "I think you should take a good look at this; it might help" Piper warily started reading and felt a hot shiver down her spine.

"PRUE.........YOU HAVE GOT TO SEE THIS!!!!" Piper shouted.

The California Youth Authority has earned a reputation as a dangerous place for children. Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall in Sylmar is also known as Sylmar Juvenile Hall. Prior to being named after the County's Chief Probation Officer Barry J. Nidorf, it was known as the San Fernando Valley Juvenile Hall. It is one of three juvenile halls in the Los Angeles County. It is located at 16350 Filbert Street on an 85,000 square foot lot. Built in 1978, it has undergone expansion between 1994 and 1998. The average population is 700 children. Children housed at Sylmar Juvenile Hall are often awaiting placement to another facility such as placement, camp, or the California Youth Authority.

The Department of Justice found that Juvenile Hall staff had been using Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray "excessively", and in situations where "such use of force was not necessary." This includes spraying handcuffed children, children with asthma, pregnant girls, suicidal children and children with special mental health needs. It is estimated that approximately 50% of the 700 children at Sylmar Juvenile Hall have mental health issues; However, the majority of those who have such issues do not get any mental health care. Approximately 75% or 262 children receive no such help at Sylmar Juvenile Hall.

Visiting Rules at Sylmar Juvenile Hall

Sylmar Juvenile hall only allows parents or legal guardians to visit. Visitation is on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. On the day your child has court, the Sylmar Juvenile Judge will allow "after court" visits from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Visitors cannot bring back packs, medicine, pagers, cell phones, cigarettes, food or drinks, purses or handbags and radios.

IIf your child violates any of the Sylmar Juvenile Hall rules; he or she may be sent to the Special Handling Unit (SHU). He or she can be kept in the SHU until he or she is ready to return to his or her unit. The CYA houses individuals between the ages of 12-25 and operates eleven locations and four youth forestry camps.