Obama on Solitary

PRESIDENT OBAMA ON SOLITARY: AN AFFRONT TO OUR COMMON HUMANITY

Image result for president obamaIn an op-ed in the Washington Post called “Rethinking solitary confinement” in January 2016, President Obama banned the use of solitary for juveniles in federal custody. The President’s ground-breaking announcement was based on a six-month investigation by the Department of Justice of the overuse of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons. The new policy follows the Justice Department’s recommendations. The President’s announcement raises to a new level the position of major professional organizations, lawmakers, and child advocates.

Stop Solitary for Kids agrees with President Obama’s call for an end to solitary confinement of young people, but much more needs to be done. The President’s order only applies to youth charged with federal offenses, but it can serve as a model for state and county facilities, where most youth are incarcerated. There must be a coordinated national movement to end solitary confinement for youth in all local and state facilities, where most youth are incarcerated.

RESOURCES

Remarks by President Obama, Calling on Attorney General to Investigate Solitary, NAACP Conference, July 14, 2015

“Rethinking solitary confinement,” Washington Post, January 2016

In this op-ed in the Washington Post President Obama banned the use of solitary for juveniles in federal custody. The President’s ground-breaking announcement was based on a six-month investigation by the Department of Justice of the overuse of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons. The new policy follows the Justice Department’s recommendations. Click here to read more.

The Washington Post Article on President Obama’s Announcement, January 2016

Presidential Memorandum limiting the use of solitary by the federal government, March 2016

On March 1, 2016, President Obama directed the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to start implementing the DOJ recommendations and to provide a report on progress within 180 days.

Presidential Proclamation on Youth Justice Awareness Month, October 2016

In this proclamation released on September 30, 2016, 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.