Title: Limits the Use of Solitary Confinement for Juveniles
Vote Smart's Synopsis:
Vote to pass a bill that limits the use of solitary confinement for individuals confined in juvenile detention facilities.
Highlights:
Prohibits an individual confined in a juvenile detention facility from being subject to “solitary confinement” unless he or she meets the following requirements (Sec. 1):
The individual poses an immediate and substantial risk of harm to the security of the facility, to himself or herself, or to others, not resulting from a mental disorder;
The individual is not gravely disabled; and
The individual has been given all other less-restrictive options to address the risk.
Defines “solitary confinement” as the placement of an incarcerated individual in a locked sleep room or cell alone, with minimal or no contact with individuals other than guards, correctional facility staff, and attorneys (Sec. 1).
Requires an individual in a juvenile facility subject to solitary confinement to be held in accordance with guidelines including, but not limited to, the following guidelines (Sec. 1):
The individual is only held in solitary confinement for the minimum time required to address the risk;
The individual is not held for more than 4 hours;
The individual is only held in solitary confinement for a period of time that does not compromise the mental and physical health of the individual; and
The individual is returned to regular programming that does not involve solitary confinement immediately following the period of solitary confinement.
Prohibits staff of the juvenile facility from using solitary confinement as punishment, discipline, coercion, convenience, or retaliation (Sec. 1).
Requires each local and state juvenile facility to make public information regarding each use of solitary confinement, excluding any identifying information (Sec. 1).
Specifies that the provisions of this bill do not apply to minors or wards in court holding facilities or adult facilities (Sec. 1).