I am driven by a deep-rooted passion to work with juveniles, and I believe it is imperative to ensure their rehabilitation rather than punitive actions that may inflict long-term psychological damage. “Although the consequences of solitary confinement and isolation of children have not been extensively studied, based on knowledge of brain development and the impact of adverse childhood experiences on the physical, mental, and behavioral health of children and adolescents, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has asserted that, “due to their development vulnerability, juvenile offenders are at particular risk for such adverse reactions [as found in adults].” (Owen & Goldhagen, 2016) Juveniles are still growing every day, and they are not mentally capable of enduring the mental challenge that comes with solitary confinement. There aren't many studies on juveniles and solitary confinement, but there are many studies on adults who have gone through solitary confinement, which results in harm to an individual. Putting two and two together can help us understand the damage it does to a juvenile. Solitary confinement for our young individuals is a practice that warrants urgent reconsideration. “Solitary confinement of young people at a critical phase of neurological, physiological, and social development has a serious risk of long-term developmental impairment and psychological harm. The practice is known to be associated with increased risk of suicide and self-harm, and there is evidence that it creates problems with reintegration, failing to tackle the root causes of disruptive or violent behaviour” (Lancet, 2018).

Solitary confinement can turn minutes into hours for these young individuals and hours into days. This method of punishment isolates them from human interaction and developmental opportunities, pushing them into a world of anxiety, depression, and possible psychological damage. It is not fair to anyone, more so juveniles, to go through this type of trauma. There are so many options that can go in place of solitary confinement if it does end up getting banned. These options include increasing the amount of outside activity and getting them to see mental health resources that can better help these juveniles with the problems they are facing. Solitary confinement should have been banned a long time ago. This can be acknowledged from the adult studies of solitary confinement as times have changed. It’s time to get rid of solitary confinement for good. Studying more on the juvenile aspect can help people understand that this needs to be banned for the health and safety of juveniles. 

We must shift our focus from excessive punitive justice to restorative and rehabilitative measures. Everyone deserves a second chance, particularly our youth. It's time to press for a national ban on solitary confinement for juveniles, favoring evidence-based, humane, and constructive alternatives that will foster their reintegration into society.

Let us advocate for their rights, their mental health, and most importantly, their future. Getting your signature and, if you so choose, contacting Jason Szanyi from Stop Solitary For Kids for more information will get these juveniles more effective treatments and access to resources they may need. Instead of keeping them isolated for hours a day with no interaction, it is time for change within the juvenile system. Please sign this petition and support the National Ban on Solitary Confinement for Juveniles. Thank you.

Jason Szanyi, Executive Director

Center for Children’s Law and Policy

jszanyi@cclp.org, 202.637.0377 ext. 108

Bibliography:

Owen, M., & Goldhagen, J. (2016). Children and solitary Confinement: a call to action.

PEDIATRICS, 137(5). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-4180

Lancet, N. (2018). Solitary confinement of children and young people. The Lancet, 391(10131),

1638. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30943-7