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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 30, 2017 01:40 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Joanna E. McClinton |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Prohibiting Solitary Confinement in Juvenile Facilities |
| In the near future, I will be introducing legislation to end the practice of solitary confinement as we know it in the juvenile justice system. Solitary confinement is one of the most common, counterproductive practices that occur in juvenile facilities. Juveniles need development and deserve ensured safety, regardless of their criminal history. Yet, when held in solitary confinement, adolescents are often denied access to treatment and programming to meet their developmental and rehabilitative needs. Solitary confinement can cause psychological and emotional harm, trauma, depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of self-harm. In fact, in the juvenile justice system, approximately half of all suicides take place when a young person is held in “room confinement.” Currently, loopholes in state law allow facilities to isolate youth in juvenile placement for days, weeks, or even months on end. This form of punishment undermines the intended, rehabilitative nature of juvenile corrections. We know this harmful and inhumane practice does not work. Youth subjected to long periods of isolation and exclusion do not leave rehabilitated, instead, they leave with serious long-term psychological effects. It is time we ban this cruel and inhumane form of rehabilitation and promote evidence-based, common sense reforms that our children and their communities deserve. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB1698