top of page

Should Juveniles Be Locked in Solitary Confinement?

Congress is taking steps toward prohibiting the use of solitary confinement against juvenile offenders.

Earlier this month U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the MERCY Act, which would ban the use of "room confinement" in federal juvenile facilities. The bill was cosponsored by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Rand Paul (R-KY), and Mike Lee (R-UT).

"Not only is solitary confinement cruel and demeaning, it's a violation of one's human dignity. When imposed on adolescents, it can cause serious long-term psychological and physical harm," Booker said in a statement.

Watch Reason TV's in-depth documentary on why placing juveniles in long-term solitary confinement may be considered cruel and unusual. Originally published on September 26, 2013 by Todd Krainin.


Comments


NEWSLETTERS

Get Reason In Your Inbox.

Thanks for submitting!

Join the

LIBERTARIAN PARTY

We are funded entirely by Americans who want to help give liberty a voice. By joining the Libertarian Party as a dues-paying member, you are investing in this critical work.

Thanks for submitting!

ADDRESS

1444 Duke St.

Alexandria, VA 22314-3403

PHONE

(800) ELECT-US

(800) 353-2887

EMAIL

bottom of page