Should prisons ban the use of solitary confinement for juveniles?

In practice, solitary confinement is used to deal with problematic kids that the staff of the prisons just don't want to deal with. If we can limit its use to exceptionally violent kids or kids who are being molested, or attacked in prisons by inmates…. 7 years ago from a Green in Fairview, GA

Yes, we should be investing in mental and psychological care for these young individuals and increasing policies that prevent the disadvantaged youth from entering into situations that lead to something like solitary confinement. Most humans aren't born…. 7 years ago from a Green in Altamonte Springs, FL

I think the inmates have to much rules and laws while in prison. they should hate prisons and not want to go back but if they are getting treated how they would out in the real world then it is pointless to have prisons in the first place. make the prisons…. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Chandler, AZ

I think that rather than define the days of solitary, we should increase the amount of work required of every prisoner. Less gym time, less TV and recreational time as well as social contact time between inmates. Prison should not become a "higher education"…. 7 years ago from a Republican in Wilmington, NC

Having worked with juveniles who can be a danger to themselves and others, I know how violent they can become. I believe solitary confinement should be used only for situations where other interventions are not successful in preventing harm to self or others,…. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Boonville, NY

Yes, studies have shown how detrimental solitary confinement can be, and with juveniles brains still developing, it is imperative that they are not subjected to this punishment measure. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Chandler, AZ

No, those who receive solitary confinement are there due to predisposed behavior rather then solitary being the cause for the increased likelihood of becoming a repeat offender. 7 years ago from a Constitution in Rest Haven, GA

No, if they cannot abide by the conventions of living with the prison population, they have earned solitary confinement. 7 years ago from a Republican in South Bend, IN

Make prisons solitary but reformative. Have books to read. Options of writing to a random pen-pal who's not in prison. The goal being that prisoners can't socialize together, organize, and fed off of each others' criminal way of life. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Jacksonville, FL

Prisons should be abolished in favor of financial punishment, death, or banishment. 7 years ago from a Libertarian in El Dorado, KS

Yes, and we should create more Christian spiritual programs to help prevent and rehabilitate criminals. 7 years ago from a Republican in Sunbury, OH

No, but the kids should be checked on frequently and not given solitary confinement beyond limited spans of time. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Enfield, NH

No, but it should only be used for violent criminals that are an immediate threat to themselves or those around them. 7 years ago from a Democrat in New York, NY

No, it should be required to have them evaluated to where pre existing traumas are known by staff. It could be a trigger for some, and psych evaluations should be administered. As well as a therapist should be notified every time a juvenile is placed into…. 7 years ago from a Green in San Antonio, TX

No, but it should be used less and as a last resort for dangerous inmates. 7 years ago from a Constitution in San Diego, CA

No, but it should still be used for major crimes such as 1st degree murder. 7 years ago from a Socialist in Philadelphia, PA

No. It is often used to keep those in solitary from being killed by other inmates. 7 years ago from a Constitution in Bell Gardens, CA

I think all prisons should be considered solitary confinement. It should not be a learning, entertainment or social environment. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Wildwood, MO

No but the use of it should be reduced and mostly used for those who are violent and a danger to themselves or others. Also those in solitary confinement should receive additional counseling. 7 years ago from a Republican in Lubeck, WV

I would like to hear what psychologist have to say about its effect on the kids. 7 years ago from a Constitution in Fort Wayne, IN

Solitary confinement should be banned for all humans. It is inhumane. 7 years ago from a Constitution in New York, NY

I think the major issue with children is the breakdown of the family. Children are growing up in a lawless generation. Anything goes. A drug addict can have multiple children and they are left for the public to take care of. There should be consequences. 7 years ago from a Republican in El Dorado, AR

Train prison guards to be responsible with their power and use solitary confinement only when absolutely necessary for mental and physical safety of all prisoners involved. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Umatac, GU

Yes. Solitary confinement is a form of torture. 7 years ago from a Green in Union City, CA

Juveniles deserve every opportunity to be rehabilitated, but those held in adult facilities should be protected from the general population of said facilities. 7 years ago from a Republican in Myrtle Beach, SC

Imprisonment of juveniles is a questionable activity. This whole area should be re-thought. Effective rehabilitation measures should be sought and applied instead of incarceration for juveniles. 7 years ago from a Libertarian in Dunedin, FL

At times they like to be there to protect themselves from sex abuse etc of more dangerous adults. 7 years ago from a Constitution in Molalla, OR

Federal prisons should ban the use of solitary confinement for juveniles because a juvenile's brain is still developing and solitary confinement could be detramental to their mental health and development. 7 years ago from a Green in Shinnston, WV

Youth do well with platonic/apprenticeship relationships. When you isolate them, they make their own rules. Let's create more relationship opportunities to positive roll models and less isolation. 7 years ago from a Green in Richmond, KY

No, the purpose of a prison is to remove people from society, not create their own criminal society for them. All prisoners should be confined on their own and provided with food and materials for reading and writing - that's all. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Christiansted, VI

The Wardens need to be able to run the facility without meddling. 7 years ago from a Republican in Basehor, KS

No, Ban how long they use it and in-between use. Have stricter rules of when it can be used. Some 16-17 year olds, are very violent. 7 years ago from a Constitution in Jacksonville, FL

I don't say 'ban' , however, some really bad juveniles may need it for a week or two. 7 years ago from a Republican in Naples Manor, FL

No, but if a juvenile displays behavior warranting solitary confinement, then they should be confined but visited by adults for specific periods of time. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Dunmore, PA

No, its a case by case decision. But prisons should be monitored for high usage of the practice and review if the procedure is being overused. 7 years ago from a Constitution in Clearwater, FL

Solitary confinement of any captive person, either juvenile or adult, should be used judiciously & as a last means effort. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Newton, IA

This is a Catch 22 question. They say solitary confinement is not ok for juveniles, yet, if they are housed with other criminal elements, they can be attacked and would not be protected. Which is worse?. 7 years ago from a Republican in Delray Beach, FL

No because if juveniles do adult-like actions then they should be charged as an adult. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Milwaukee, WI

Yes, if you deserve it. We are all accountable for our actions. No said juvenile detention was fun. 7 years ago from a Republican in Carleton, MI

No, prison officials should determine who needs confinement based on security concerns for guards and prisoners. 7 years ago from a Republican in Sacramento, CA

No, humans are social animals that require contact or they go mad. 7 years ago from a Green in Houston, TX

Yes but there should be a more intensive process to getting someone placed there and they should have low maximum time of using it. 7 years ago from a Republican in Harrisonburg, VA

Solitary confinement the way it is now is used as torture. There should be a different way to keep people separated. 7 years ago from a Green in Dalton Gardens, ID

Yes solitary confinement should be banned altogether. 7 years ago from a Libertarian in Chantilly, VA

Yes, but only if the individuals show a totally a unrelenting trend toward gang activity or violent behavior. Michael Brown was a juvenile
and tried to kill a law enforcement officer. Case closed!. 7 years ago from a Republican in Atlanta, GA

Juveniles below 17 should be screened individually and entered into programs that will guide them to reenter society. They should not be mixed with general prison populations. 7 years ago from a Republican in George Mason, VA

No, all juveniles should be given psychological help should they need it. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Jenison, MI

Yes, unless it is for their protection. 7 years ago from a Democrat in Scottsdale, AZ

Certainly for violent behavior. I don't like juveniles to be incarcerated with adult offenders or other teens where they can learn to be worse criminals. 7 years ago from a Constitution in Finley, WA

No, but it should be decided by a judge. 7 years ago from a Libertarian in Tony, WI