New York to no longer place minors in solitary confinement
New York became the largest state in the country to ban placing inmates under the age of 18 in solitude.
The decision comes as part of sweeping reforms of the state’s use of solitary confinement.
Here are the agreement’s stipulations:
A ban on the use of solitary confinement to discipline inmates under 18.
Sixteen- and 17-year-old inmates, even those under “the most restrictive form of disciplinary housing,” shall receive five days of exercise and out-of-cell programming a week, with a max of nineteen hours of cell time a day.
A ban on the use of solitary confinement to discipline pregnant inmates.
A limit of thirty days of solitary confinement for inmates who are developmentally disabled, as well as the implementation of an alternative, rehabilitative program for developmentally disabled inmates who would otherwise be sentenced to solitary.
The new agreement also states that a new assistant commissioner position, an addition research staff position “with the goals of promoting consistency and fairness of SHU (special housing units) confinement sanctions and the health, safety and security of inmates and staff” also be established.
The agreement was signed earlier today by US District Judge Shira Scheindlin, along with representatives from th NYCLU and the DOCCS.
Thoughts on the changes?
Should minors be held in solitary confinement?
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