Youth-Led Podcast Series Released by Stop Solitary for Kids (June 2022)
Louisiana Passes Law Limiting Solitary Confinement for Youth (June 2022)
Marshall Project Investigation Shows Solitary Confinement and Dangerous Conditions at Louisiana Facility (March 2022)
Iowa Ordered by Federal Court to End Punitive Isolation and Restraints
Stop Solitary for Kids – COVID-19 Resource Page
Coronavirus in juvenile detention is a ‘nightmare scenario,’ doctors and advocates say (NBC News)
Marshall Project Article on Incarcerated Youth Cut Off From Families During COVID-19
Federal funding for facilities to reduce isolation (Mar. 2020)
Google and CFSY Launch Virtual Reality Advocacy Tool on Solitary (Feb. 2020)
New Research Shows Negative Impact of Social Isolation During Adolescence (Feb. 2020)
Washington State Senate Passes Law to Ban Youth Solitary (Feb. 2020)
New Research: Even Brief Exposure to Solitary May Cause Risk of Death (Feb. 2020) Study available here.
Nebraska Passes Law to Ban Solitary for Kids (Feb. 2020)
DOJ Findings Show South Carolina Subjecting Kids to Solitary, Abuse (Feb. 2020)
Hawaii Introduces Law to Ban Solitary for Youth (Feb. 2020)
Pennsylvania Introduces Bill to Limit Solitary, Includes Youth Under 21 (2020). SB 832
Washington Introduces Bill to Limit Solitary for Youth (Jan. 2020) SB 6112
2019
Judge Denies Florida’s Motion to Dismiss in Litigation Against DJJ (Dec. 2019). Read Court Order.
Annual Nebraska Report Shows Solitary Still Being Used on Kids (Dec. 2019)
U.S. DOJ Launches Investigation of Connecticut Facility Holding Adult-Charged Youth in Solitary (Hartford Courant, Nov. 2019)
Teens in Solitary: ‘I Felt Like I Was Losing My Mind’ (The Crime Report, Nov. 2019)
Despite Claims, Tennessee Still Using Solitary (Nov. 2019)
Multiple Florida Bills Introduced to Limit Solitary for Youth (Nov. 2019)
Settlement Will Force an Indiana Juvenile Detention Center to Reduce Solitary (Oct. 2019).
Iowa to pay $700k to Girls Kept in Solitary Wisconsin Detention Center (Des Moines Register, Oct. 2019)
Maryland Legislation Limiting Solitary for Youth In Effect (Oct. 2019)
Federal Judge Orders Vermont Juvenile Detention Center to Stop Solitary (Rutland Herald, Aug. 2019)
Florida Sued for Using Solitary on Kids, Especially Kids of Color (Sept. 2019)
When Solitary is a Death Sentence: Youth Dies by Suicide After Two Years in Solitary (Huff Post, Aug. 2019)
New Jersey Passes Legislation Limiting Solitary for Kids, July 2019
SSK Report Covers Work to End Youth Solitary in Memphis, TN, July 2019
Groundbreaking Report Released from Stop Solitary for Kids: Not in Isolation, June 2019
New Study of the Impact of Solitary on Emotions, June 2019. Watch video.
Vermont Sued for Using Solitary in Youth Facility, June 2019
Wisconsin Pays Millions to Settle Lawsuits Over Solitary and Restraints, June 2019
JJIE Article: A Roadmap to Ending Solitary, June 2019
Trial in Iowa Lawsuit Challenging Solitary Confinement in State Training School, June 2019
Federal Judge Orders Hudson County, NY Jail to Cease Solitary Confinement for 17-Year Old, June 2019
Performance-based Standards Releases New Report on Isolation, June 2019
Stop Solitary for Kids in Corrections Today Article, May 2019
Montana Passes Legislation Limiting Solitary for Youth, May 2019
Nebraska Passes Law Limiting Solitary for Youth, May 2019
Deion Browder: My mom died trying to preserve the legacy of her son. Keeping kids out of solitary will preserve hers, USA Today, April 2019
Cook County Sheriff on Why They Ended Solitary, Wash. Post, April 2019
Report on Solitary Confinement in Florida from the Southern Poverty Law Center, April 2019 (full report here)
New Mexico Passes Legislation to Limit Solitary for Kids & Other Vulnerable Groups, April 2019
Florida Introduces Bill to Limit Solitary Confinement for Kids, March 2019
New Course on Kalief Browder and Solitary Confinement Available to Students Everywhere, March 2019 (Tow Youth Justice Newsletter, University of New Haven)
Seattle (King Co.) Jails Still Using Solitary Despite Ban, March 2019
Canada: Article on Psychological Effects of Solitary and Short Film, Feb. 2019 (summary of effects of solitary)
Connecticut Report Shows Solitary Still Used Despite Ban, Jan. 2019
Wisconsin Monitor Report Shows Solitary Still Being Used at Lincoln Hills, Jan. 2019
ACLU Releases Updated Resource Guide on Solitary, Jan. 2019
Charlotte, NC Sheriff Closes Solitary Confinement Unit for Youth, Jan. 2019
Former Director of Colorado DOC Rick Raemisch on Why We Must End Solitary, Jan. 2019
Nebraska Re-Introduces 2019 Legislation on Youth Solitary, Jan. 2019
2018
Congress Passes Two Major Laws Limiting Solitary Confinement for Kids, Dec. 2018
King County (Seattle) Council Approves Limits Solitary Confinement for Youth, Dec. 2018 (see coverage of settlement from Aug. 2018)
Palm Beach County, FL Settles Litigation For Putting Youth in Solitary, Nov. 2018
Neuroscientists Weigh in on Serious Harms of Solitary in New Article, Nov. 2018
Article: What Will the Midterms Mean for Solitary Confinement Reform? Nov. 2018
ASCA and the Yale’s Liman Center Release Fourth Report on Solitary Confinement:
“Reforming Restrictive Housing: The 2018 ASCA-Liman Nationwide Survey of Time-in-Cell, Oct. 2018. A related monograph, Working to Limit Restrictive Housing: Efforts in Four Jurisdictions to Make Changes, details the work of four correctional administrations to limit-and in one state abolish solitary (focuses on adult facilities in CO, ID, OH, and ND). The authors focus on adult facilities and define solitary as 22 hours a day for 15 days or more.
Florida DOJ Files Statement of Interest in Case Against Palm Beach County, Oct. 2018
Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor Expresses Deep Concern About Solitary Confinement in Cert Denial, Oct. 2018 (opinion here in Apodaca v. Raemisch and Lowe v. Raemisch)
Montana Disability Rights Report Shows Long-Term Youth Solitary and Violence, Sept. 2018
Queens Prosecutor Denies Rikers Island and Solitary Affected Kalief Browder’s Death, Sept. 2018
Lincoln Hills, WI Judge Signs Deal to End Solitary & Pepper Spray at Youth Prison, Sept. 2018
Charlotte, NC Still Holds Youth in Solitary at Jail North, Sept. 2018
More States Need to Limit Solitary Confinement, Which Doesn’t Work, JJIE
New Guidance on Mandela Rules, August 2018
King County (Seattle) Settlement Bans Solitary Confinement for Kids, Aug. 2018
New York City Youth Still Held in Solitary Despite Ban, July 2018
Montana Legislative Study on Use of Solitary Confinement Released, July 2018
Maine: Our View: It’s beyond question – the justice system fails kids, June 2018
Durham, NC: Youth Held in Solitary in Adult Jail, June 2018
Immigrant Youth in Virginia Juvenile Facility Report Solitary and Abuse, June 2018
New Jersey Parents’ Caucus, Torture By Another Name: The Use of Solitary Confinement on Youth and Young Adults in New Jersey Prisons, May 2018
Palm Beach County: Lawsuit Filed Over Jail Putting Kids in Solitary for Months, June 2018
Lawsuit Filed in Australia for Youth Held in Solitary in Adult Jail, June 2018
Kids Held in Solitary in Adult Jails in Philadelphia, June 2018
Wisconsin Agrees to Settlement Ending Punitive Solitary & Pepper Spray, June 2018
Iowa Agrees to Settlement in Case Over Youth Solitary Confinement at Juvenile Home, May 2018
Tennessee Girl Released From Solitary in Adult Prison, May 2018
New Jersey Parents’ Caucus Releases Brief on Youth With Mental Disabilities in NJ’s Adult Prisons, May 2018. The brief is entitled “Solitary Confinement of Youth with Mental Health Disabilities in New Jersey’s Adult Prison System.”
Chicago Juvenile Detention Facility Reportedly Increasing Use of Solitary on Kids, May 2018
Vera Releases Rethinking Restrictive Housing: Lessons from Five U.S. Jail and Prison Systems Report. This report documents Vera’s work with five adult correctional agencies: Nebraska; Oregon; North Carolina; New York City; and Middlesex County, New Jersey, May 2018. See also Fact Sheet and other resources from Vera Safe Alternatives to Segregation.
Settled Lawsuit Over Teen Solitary Costs Syracuse $270,000 in Attorney Fees, May 2018. Read more about the litigation here.
Crime Report: Solitary Confinement Policies Near Tipping Point April 2018
Australia Introduces Sweeping Changes to Youth Justice After Northern Territories Abuse Scandal, April 2018
Maine Lawsuit Against the Long Creek Facility Alleging Excessive Stays, State Claims No Options, April 2018
Tennessee Introduces Legislation to Keep Kids Out of Solitary in Adult Jails, Limit Safekeeping April 2018
Sacramento Juvenile Detention Facility Develops Alternatives to Solitary April 2018
NY Federal Court Grants Injunction in Suit Against Broome County for Keeping Youth in Solitary April 2018
Wisconsin Legislature Sets Three-Year Clock on Juvenile Prison Shutdown April 2018
Youth Speaks Out About Solitary Confinement at Age 16
Wisconsin Passes Law to Close Lincoln Hills Facility
Colorado State Agency Says Major Improvements in Use of Solitary
Tennessee DOC Director Questions Practice of Kids in Solitary in Adult Prison
Massachusetts Lawmakers Reach Agreement That Includes Limiting Solitary
Oregon Advocates Call For Independent Review of State Facilities Feb. 2017
U.S. DOJ To Investigate South Carolina DJJ for Abuses & Solitary Feb. 2018
Tennessee Legislation Would Limit Youth Solitary, Feb. 2018
Tennessee Governor Speaks Out Against Keeping Youth in Solitary Feb. 2018
Wisconsin Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Close Lincoln Hills & Copper Lake, Feb. 2018
Memphis Jail Allegedly Holding 17-year-old Girl in Solitary Confinement, Feb. 2018
Preliminary Injunction Filed in Broome County, NY Litigation, Feb. 2018
Nebraska Introduces Bill to Sharply Limit Youth Solitary, Jan. 2018. Read Legislative Bill 870 here.
Canadian Court Finds Indefinite Solitary Confinement Unconstitutional, Jan. 2018
Wisconsin Governor Plans to Close Lincoln Hills and Cooper Lake Facilities, Jan. 2018
SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2017
New Jersey Governor Vetos Bill to Limit Solitary, Dec. 2017
Tennessee Blue Ribbon Task Force Recommends Ending Youth Solitary, Dec. 2017
Oregon County Calls for Independent Investigation of Youth Facility After Reports of Solitary, Dec. 2017
King County (Seattle) Bans Solitary Confinement for Youth, December 2017
Oregon: Solitary and Abusive Conditions Alleged in Wasco County at Northern Oregon Regional Correctional Facility (NORCOR), December 2017 (read the Report from OR. Disability Rights)
ACA Standards on Isolation: Youth Justice & Civil Rights Advocates Submit Joint Comments, December 2017
Iowa Sued For Putting Kids in Solitary, November 2017
King County, WA (Seattle) Sued for Using Solitary on Kids in Adult Jails, November 2017
Illinois Under Fire for Solitary and Restraint Desks on Youth, October, 2017
Pushback Against Limiting Solitary in Illinois, October 2017
TIME: The Kalief Browder Story Available on Netflix, September 2017
The ACA Proposes New Standards on Isolation for Youth, September 2017
Wisconsin Judge Grants Class Certification in Lawsuit Over Youth Solitary, September 2017
APRIL – AUGUST 2017
New Report on Youth Solitary from the Juvenile Law Center, August 2017
ACLU of Nebraska Sues State Over Solitary & Prison Abuses, August 2017
Wisconsin Lawmaker Proposes Study of Alternatives to Solitary, August 2017
Wisconsin Judge Issues Order Drastically Limiting Solitary Confinement for Kids in Federal Lawsuit, July 2017
Broome County, New York Sued for Keeping Kids in Solitary Confinement, July 2017
Mental Health Units as Alternatives to Adult Segregation, Vera Blog, June 2017
Syracuse, NY: Settlement Agreement Will Force County to Stop Using Solitary for Kids, June 2017
Wisconsin: Federal Judge Says Isolation at Youth Facilities Is Unconstitutional, Orders Changes, June 2017
North Carolina Votes to Raise the Age of Jurisdiction to 18, Effective 2019, June 2017
The Connecticut Houses Passes Law to Limit Youth Solitary, June 2017
Colorado Passes Major Juvenile Justice Reform Bill to Transform State Agency Practices, May 2017 Denver Post
U.S. House Passes JJDPA Reauthorization Bill, May 2017 (read Press Release from Comm. on Education & Workforce)
Indiana Detention Center Sued for Putting 11 Year-Old in Solitary, May 2017
North Carolina Bill to Raise the Age Passes in House, May 2017
New Report on New Zealand’s Use of Solitary Confinement, May 2017
Op-ed by Council of Juvenile Correctional Administrators Director: We Can Help You Stop Solitary, April 2017
Philadelphia Still Putting Kids in Solitary for Weeks in Adult Jails, April 2017
Frontline Releases Documentary on How Maine Reduced Solitary in Adult Facilities, April 2017
Motion for Injunction Filed in Wisconsin Lawsuit Over Youth Solitary, April 2017
New Mexico Governor Vetoes Bipartisan Law to Limit Solitary for Kids, April 2017
Nevada Introduces Law to Restrict Solitary for Youth, April 2017
South Carolina Report Calls for Reforms to Solitary & Poor Conditions in DJJ Facilities, April 2017
Vera Releases Report on North Carolina’s Use of Segregation, April 2017
Washington, DC Passes Legislation Limiting Solitary, April 2017
New York State Raises the Age of Jurisdiction to 18, April 2017
Vibe Magazine Covers Stop Solitary for Kids and Strategies for Reform, April 2017
NYC Mayor Vows to Close Rikers, April 2017 (read NYT article)
NYC Commission’s Report on Rikers Recommends Criminal Justice Reforms & Closing Rikers, April 2017
JANUARY – MARCH 2017
Montana Legislation Introduced to Limit Solitary Confinement, 2017
New JJDPA Reauthorization Law Introduced – Includes Language on Isolation, March 2017
North Carolina Introduces Bill to Raise the Age, March 2017 (read HB 280)
Washington State: County Sued for Keeping Kids in Solitary Confinement March 2017
Tennessee Judge Grants Injunction to Stop Solitary for Kids in Rutherford County, March 2017
Connecticut Introduces Law to Limit Solitary, March 2017
North Carolina ACLU Report Finds Kids in Solitary in Charlotte Jails in Horrible Conditions, March 2017
Colorado Report Finds Solitary and Other Abuses in Juvenile Facilities Despite Legislation, March 2017 (Read about The Wrap)
Canada’s College of Family Physicians Takes Positions Against Solitary, February 2017
New York Federal Judge Orders Syracuse to Stop Putting Kids in Solitary, February 2017
Nevada Report on Solitary Confinement in the Department of Corrections, February 2017
Bipartisan Legislation Introduced in the U.S. Senate and House to End Youth Solitary, MERCY Act, February 2017
The DOJ Files Statement of Interest in Litigation Against Syracuse Jail for Keeping Children in Solitary, January 2017
Wisconsin Juvenile Facilities Sued for Keeping Kids in Solitary Confinement, January 2017
South Carolina Legislative Report Uncovers Solitary & Dangerous Conditions in State DJJ, January 2017
OCTOBER – NOVEMBER 2016
North Carolina Jails Holding Youth in Solitary Confinement, December 2016
Virginia Commission Recommends Regulations to End Solitary for Youth, December 2016
New Report from Yale and ASCA Focuses on Potential of Policy Change to Reform Adult Solitary, November 2016
A new report from Yale Law School and the Association of State Correctional Administrators reveals the most current national data on who and how many adults are in solitary confinement in the United States. This report follows 3 prior reports released by the Liman Program at Yale and the ASCA in 2013 and 2015.
Presidential Proclamation on Youth Justice Awareness Month, October 2016
In this proclamation, President Obama called on the nation to end the solitary confinement for youth, reaffirm our commitment to helping children of every background become successful and engaged citizens, and address racial and ethnic disparities in the youth justice system.
JULY – SEPTEMBER 2016
UN Appoints New Special Rapporteur on Torture, September 2016
On September 30, 2016, Nils Melzer was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council as the next UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment. He will take over from Juan Méndez on November 1, 2016. Read a two-part interview with Rapporteur Méndez reflecting on progress made during his six year tenure and his insight about the future of solitary confinement reform: Part 1 and Part 2.
Federal Legislation Introduced to Limit Solitary – Solitary Confinement Reform Act, September, 2016
California Passes Legislation to Limit Solitary for Youth, September 2016
The NYCLU Sues Syracuse Jail for Keeping Children in Solitary, September 2016
NCJFCJ Adopts Resolution Limiting Solitary Confinement for Youth, Encourages Judges to Act, August 2016
American Correctional Association Committee Approves Standards Limiting Solitary for Minors, August 2016
In August 2016 the American Correctional Association’s Restrictive Housing Standards Committee approved updated standards on the use of solitary confinement. The new standards are now subject to field testing and final approval, a process which could take until late 2017.
OJJDP Data Shows Half of Juvenile Detention Centers and Training Schools Use Isolation, August 2016
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention released a Data Snapshot in August showing that 46% of training schools and 47% of detention centers use isolation to control youth behavior.
Abuse & Solitary Confinement Uncovered in Australia’s Juvenile Facilities, August 2016
Video Advocacy Tool – Ending Solitary Confinement & Making Facilities Safer, August 2016
Juvenile Law Center and Stop Solitary for Kids release a powerful new video on the impact of solitary confinement.
Juvenile In Justice: End Solitary Confinement, Multi-Site Exhibition, July – September, 2016
Juvenile Law Center collaborated with InLiquid and photographer Richard Ross on this exhibit, a multi-site exhibition of Ross’ photographs, audio recordings of detained youth, and a replica of a solitary confinement cell. The main exhibit at the Free Library of Philadelphia opens July 21 and will run through September 4, 2016. Click here to see a video of a panel discussion at the exhibition opening.
DOJ Settlement with Hinds County, Mississippi Limits Segregation of Youth, June 2016
OJJDP Joins Stop Solitary for Kids, Hosts Meeting of Stakeholders, June 2016
North Carolina Policy Limits Solitary for Juveniles in Adult Prisons, New Program, June 2016
Colorado Passes Legislation to Limit Solitary, May 2016
New England Journal of Medicine Perspective, May 2016
On May 5, 2016, the New England Journal of Medicine published a perspective entitled “Reforming Solitary-Confinement Policy – Heeding a Presidential Call to Action,” calling on the medical community to speak up about the medical importance of significantly limiting our country’s use of solitary confinement.
Los Angeles County Bans Solitary for Kids, May 2016
6×9: A Virtual Experience of Solitary Confinement
In May 2016, the Guardian announced 6×9, a virtual reality experience of solitary confinement. Viewers can see and hear a 6-foot by 9-foot cell and listen to seven ex-inmates describe their experience and hear a 24-minute audio documentary.Click here to read more in the Juvenile Justice Information Exchange.
JANUARY – APRIL 2016
Tennessee Sued for Placing Youth in Solitary, April 2016
Nebraska Passes Legislation Requiring Data on Youth Solitary, April 2016
Virginia Bill Introduced to Limit Solitary Confinement for Youth, January 2016
Nebraska Report Shows Solitary, Inadequate Data in Juvenile Facilities, January 2016
2015
DOJ Findings Letter in Hinds Co., Mississippi Calls For Stop to Youth Solitary, May 2015