Facility profile Florida
Okeechobee Youth Development Center
Formerly Eckerd Youth Development Center (from 1982)
Okeechobee Youth Development Center was a program in Okeechobee, Florida, formerly run by Eckerd Connects.
Survivor testimony
What people who lived or worked here say happened. Survivors' own words are published with their permission; forum accounts are what was posted publicly and are reported as claims, not findings.
Reported on survivor forums
News coverage
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Dozens of Teens Who Spent Time at Abusive Florida Reform School Ended Up on Death Row
At least 34 boys from the Dozier School and 16 from Okeechobee ended up on Florida's death row. Leonora LaPeter Anton's investigation for The Marshall Project and the Tampa Bay Times.
The article investigates the connection between extreme abuse at the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys and the high number of its former students later sentenced to death or prison for murder, with a focus on Michael Bell, who is scheduled for execution. At least 34 boys from Dozier and 16 from Okeechobee ended up on Florida’s death row. Dozier was closed in 2011 following decades of documented abuse including beatings, rape, and solitary confinement. Michael Bell described being forced into fights, physically restrained, and sexually assaulted at age 15 during a four-month stay. Neurologists and psychologists confirm that adolescent trauma impairs brain development, especially impulse control and emotional regulation. Experts cited include Dr. George Woods, Dr. Marlyne Israelian, Dr. Bruce Perry, and Dr. Martha J. Farah. Other former residents (Jesse Guardado, Jerry White, William Van Poyck, Craig Wall) report similar abuse and went on to commit murders. Bell’s defense lawyers argue his trauma was never presented at trial; he never had a psychological evaluation.
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Girl's death, other issues, spark concerns involving other Florida facilities run by TrueCore
State contracts with TrueCore Behavioral Solutions faced increased scrutiny following the death of a resident at Lake Academy in Tampa and multiple reports of staff misconduct, assaults, and safety violations across several juvenile residential facilities in Florida.
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OYDC closure brings an end to troubled history
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice announced the upcoming closure of the Okeechobee Youth Development Center, concluding a 60-year operational history marked by documented allegations of physical punishment and severe conditions dating back to its origins as the Florida School for Boys. Over the decades, the facility underwent multiple ownership changes and privatization transitions before the state decided against renewing its operating contract.
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Coronavirus cases at Palm Beach Youth Academy concern parents
Twenty-one juveniles at the Palm Beach Youth Academy tested positive for COVID‑19, prompting parents to express concern over the facility’s infection control practices. Staff reportedly did not wear masks and some appeared ill, raising questions about safety protocols. The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice confirmed the cases and noted that all staff and parents were notified.
Licensing and inspections
- Licensed as
- okeechobee youth development center correctional center year3cylce2DE89D6301A27
- Program
- DJJ-unmatched-okeechobee-youth-development-center-correctional-center-year3cylce2de89d6301a27
- License category
- PREA
1 inspection report on file. Search all Florida reports
Every report, by date
- Undated PREA
Connections on the network map
The companies, people and programs our research map ties to this program. Open it on the network map.
Ownership
- G4s Youth Services LLC
Documents
Woodbury Reports Mentions (1)
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