In January 2016, President Obama issued a series of executive actions banning federal prisons from using solitary confinement to punish juveniles and prisoners who commit low level infractions. His orders also lowered the number of days an adult inmate could be subject to solitary confinement from 365 days to 60 days. A recent study found that prisoners who were subject to solitary confinement were 20-25% more likely to be repeat criminal offenders than prisoners who avoided it.
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@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes
@9F8M3RD2yrs2Y
It is borderline torture and people end up taking their own lives because of how being in solitary confinement messes with thieir mind.
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican3mos3MO
Violent criminals who refuse to stop deserve to be tortured (psychologically, not physically) and punished.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes, and we should create more social programs to help prevent and rehabilitate criminals
@9FMRZZ52yrs2Y
So basically, 70% of juveniles are suffering from mental illness. They should be given medication, therapy, or rehabilitation.
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican3mos3MO
If their mental illness makes them a murderer and all methods to try to treat it have failed, they should just be locked away
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
Yes, it is severely psychologically damaging to young undeveloped minds
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No, it is necessary for violent criminals who are a danger to themselves and other inmates
@9F8M3RD2yrs2Y
Solitary confinement is borderline torture, as humans are not meant to be in a room the size of a queen sized matress and to be left alone for such a long time, people get Delirium and some kill themselves after getting out.
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican3mos3MO
What if solitary confinement is the only way to stop them from killing other people? You'd rather them be able to kill other people than locking them away and potentially making them suicidal? If they're killing other people, they should be given the death penalty anyways, so why would it matter if they wanna commit suicide?
@9FFMGV8Libertarian2yrs2Y
My best counter is that juveniles aren't really meant to go to prison but for actual adults in prison they should go into solitary confinement if they are a danger to themselves and others.
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican3mos3MO
What if a kid won't stop killing other people even after all methods have been tried, and the only way is to isolate them from everyone else by putting them in solitary confinement? We're just going to let them continue?
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican3mos3MO
If someone is violent and refuses to calm down after all methods have been tried, posing a danger to everyone around them, they should be locked away and isolated from society, regardless of their age or any other factors.
@ISIDEWITH9yrs9Y
No, but it is currently being overused
@9FMRZZ52yrs2Y
Solitary Confinement is absolutely ridiculous. No child should ever have to suffer from mental illness so bad that they are spending their time alone. Especially in the dark black hole.
@TheHillbillyLordRepublican3mos3MO
Unless if the child is a murderer, and solitary confinement is the only way to stop them from killing other people
@8D7X8VBNew Liberty5yrs5Y
No, but I believe prisons should be reduced to the bare minimum of people that are there to protect the public. there are too many people in prisons and prisons should not be privately held nor treated like private enterprises to be grown.
@3VGBRTC5yrs5Y
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 or staff, I think solitary confinement can work.
@9DM57TS 2yrs2Y
Agreed. Limited use for either exceptionally violent offenders and in cases where juvenile inmates are being abused--but not to the detriment of their development, as solitary can be. I object to removal from gen pop unless absolutely necessary, and clear delineations should be made about and communicated to juvenile offenders at the outset as to what the expectations are. Uncertainty is extremely anxiety inducing, and may provoke further violence or cause them to become more vulnerable.
An advocate (separate from legal counsel) should be appointed to the minor to answer any questions upon… Read more
@9WM39J78mos8MO
i do agree solitary confinement is best for kids or violent kids in prison or is the kids are getting hurt in there they should be in solitary confinement is the best go to for them so they can do time in there than in the pods or the rest of the prison
@3VTZCJC5yrs5Y
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 to want to be bad in their society.
@8QKJ92Q4yrs4Y
Wow, I agree with someone from Florida :)
@3VTR8GV5yrs5Y
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 a hell hole and get the individual to become a better person and not want to go back to prison
@3VTHCLX5yrs5Y
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, but should not be eliminated as a last effort. There should also be greater training for staff members in interventive methods.
@3VVPFL85yrs5Y
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" system for prisoners to get their masters in criminal activity.
@3VRVKKX5yrs5Y
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.
@9G78NC52yrs2Y
No this is protected by the fifth amendment as the right to life, liberty, and property without due process
@3VG994R5yrs5Y
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.
@3VFQY4R5yrs5Y
No, if they cannot abide by the conventions of living with the prison population, they have earned solitary confinement.
@3VJJS4M5yrs5Y
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.
@3VFZX435yrs5Y
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?
@4YB3B8K5yrs5Y
Prisons should be abolished in favor of financial punishment, death, or banishment
@4YTTS7F5yrs5Y
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.
@3VS52225yrs5Y
Solitary confinement should be banned for all humans. It is inhumane.
@3VQTLZR5yrs5Y
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.
@3VFRZ9V5yrs5Y
Yes, if you deserve it. We are all accountable for our actions. No said juvenile detention was fun.
@3VDV2S35yrs5Y
Yes, solitary confinement is cruel and unusual and should be banned for anyone.
@4Y7RYZ75yrs5Y
Yes, and we should create more Christian spiritual programs to help prevent and rehabilitate criminals.
@sponable985yrs5Y
No, prison officials should determine who needs confinement based on security concerns for guards and prisoners.
@3VKY8C25yrs5Y
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.
@3VSXQSR5yrs5Y
I would like to hear what psychologist have to say about its effect on the kids.
@3VF6C2P5yrs5Y
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!
@3VF6R275yrs5Y
Yes solitary confinement should be banned altogether.
@9FPHT6M2yrs2Y
No, and all prisons should exclusively use solitary confinement for the safety of the inmates themselves
@9D6R7QC2yrs2Y
Yes, as long as they are not violent and a danger to themselves or others.
@9F4L95F2yrs2Y
Yes, instead convicted juveniles should be required to serve in the military. They need a purpose and opportunity to rehabilitate while belonging to a brotherhood. Some will reform while serving the greater good. Some will die for our freedom. Such is life. Freedom is not free. But they served their purpose instead of rotting in solitude in a jail cell. Let the military decide where to place the mentally ill.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
You are literally advocating for child soldiers in the US military via forced prison labor...that isn't concerning to you at all?
@PartisanSeal2yrs2Y
I understand your concerns, and it's a valid point that introducing juveniles into the military could be perceived similar to 'child soldiers'. However, the aim is not to exploit them but to provide structure, discipline, and purpose, which could be a form of rehabilitation. This doesn't necessarily mean they would be in combat roles either. They could serve in non-combat roles that teach useful skills and teamwork. Of course, this idea would need a lot of safeguards to ensure it didn't become exploitative. What are your thoughts on alternative forms of rehabilitation? For example, do you think educational programs or vocational training could be a viable substitute for solitary confinement?
@9F6ZR8WRepublican 2yrs2Y
I'm not disagreeing with the utility of this course of action, but instead of putting kids immediately in service we I propose we mandate them to do it once they turn 18 and as a placeholder put them in a boot camp or some form of simulated training.
@9CJ6CB62yrs2Y
Military boot camps aren’t designed for juveniles or young adults, they’re meant for conditioning to a mindset that should never be forced. Rehabilitation programs like counseling and job training should be the choice, not military bs that can easily make their mental health turn for the worse.
@HarmoniousT3rritorial2yrs2Y
Child soldiers? That’s insane
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
Yes, it is. This person is surely insane for proposing that.
@9DSCF362yrs2Y
Ban the practice of Solitary Confinement altogether.
@9GZDTYYIndependent2yrs2Y
Prisons should use more social programs to help prevent and rehabilitate criminals instead of using solitary confinement because solitary confinement is severely psychologically damaging to everyone due to the nature of humans as social creatures, which only serves to make it harder for those put in solitary confinement to return or start a normal life.
Yes, but use if they are a danger to others or themselves
@3VTG5LT5yrs5Y
I think all prisons should be considered solitary confinement. It should not be a learning, entertainment or social environment.
@3VL83ZZ5yrs5Y
Juveniles deserve every opportunity to be rehabilitated, but those held in adult facilities should be protected from the general population of said facilities.
@3VGHF6S5yrs5Y
No, but if a juvenile displays behavior warranting solitary confinement, then they should be confined but visited by adults for specific periods of time.
@3VFVDB95yrs5Y
No because if juveniles do adult-like actions then they should be charged as an adult.
@3VFKJQJ5yrs5Y
No, humans are social animals that require contact or they go mad
@3VDS27Z5yrs5Y
Yes, unless it is for their protection.
@9C69K682yrs2Y
No, because it is necessary for violent criminals who are a danger to themselves and other inmates and we should create more social programs to help prevent and rehabilitate criminals.
@927H2H83yrs3Y
Yes, it is severely psychologically damaging to young undeveloped minds. We should also create more social programs to help prevent and rehabilitate criminals
@9B7HTWK2yrs2Y
Yes because this is a violation of the 8th amendment
@9DM57TS 2yrs2Y
I agree in some circumstances. A Hannibal Lecter type of any age should be kept in solitary but still have means of using their minds and interacting with the world such as through reading (via electronic device) and the arts. This would apply to other offenders spending time in solitary, with varying degrees of restriction.
It all depends on the type and severity of the crime if and for how long solitary confinement should be employed.
@8LXQB355yrs5Y
No, but we do need more ways to teach the juveniles.
@932GCVK3yrs3Y
Yes, and ban the practice outright
@9XRSMM9 8mos8MO
It should be limited to violent criminals who are a danger to themselves and other inmates only because it is damaging to young undeveloped minds
@9F597PF2yrs2Y
Well it dependents on what you go in for
@9F49JFB2yrs2Y
No, but it can be overused in certain circumstances. In others, it is necessary for violent out of control criminals who are a danger to not only others, but themselves as well.
@9F38LJ42yrs2Y
Yes, and inmates who are a danger to themselves or others should be held in smaller groups with more supervision, not complete isolation. They should also be offered rehabilitation depending on the crime severity and what the crime was.
@9DJC7242yrs2Y
Yes, and ban solitary confinement at all
@9D9LQLW2yrs2Y
Yes, but we should create more social programs to help prevent and rehabilitate criminal
@9D874PMConstitution2yrs2Y
No. Use for only most violent Juvenile Criminals. Use the Solitary Confinement time to provide private counseling and rehabilitation services.
It should be banned for all ages
@9D5434F2yrs2Y
Yes, with the exception of murderers and rapist should be isolated totally. All other Juvenile offenders should be enrolled into a Military Acadamy until 18 years of age forgoing all contact with family. Punishment should be swift and strict.
@9D4XNST2yrs2Y
Yes. Solitary Confinement is a very cruel and unusual punishment, that can damage and harm even the most harden mind. It should only be used sparingly, limited in length to only 12 hours, and only for the criminals who did very violent actions.
@9D4Y7JBRepublican2yrs2Y
No, this is a necessary tool. However, it should have strong oversight on its use to make sure it is the best approach for the situation.
@9D4R2MD2yrs2Y
Yes, it should be banned for everybody.
@959K74L3yrs3Y
No, but it is being overused and we should create more social programs to help prevent and rehabilitate criminals.
@939S84Z3yrs3Y
Yes, it is severely psychologically damaging and we should create more social programs to help prevent and rehabilitate criminals
@9CMM95H2yrs2Y
This should only be used when absolutely necessary.
@93T2VN73yrs3Y
Yes, and ban solitary confinement for all criminals
@92CYBP63yrs3Y
Yes, and ban the use of solitary confinement for everyone.
@8TVMG8R4yrs4Y
Solitary confinement should be banned for everyone. It is psychologically damaging for adults, too.
@8M94G3YProgressive5yrs5Y
Yes, the use of solitary confinement should be banned for everyone.
@8G6GP6F5yrs5Y
@B5YJ334Libertarian1 day1D
No, but it should only be used for those who clearly need to suffer for a horrific crime like murder or attempted murder
Generally speaking yes. With that said if an individual is severely negatively effecting everyone else, it may be the only feasible option
@B5XPGW26 days6D
solitary confinement should be decreased among juveniles besides exceptions on a case to case basis if a child is a threat to the people near they should be allowed to be confined up until a certain time period
@B5X7KY31wk1W
It shouldn’t be banned, but only juveniles who have proven to be a big danger to society and themselves should receive solitary confinement.
@B5X23FC1wk1W
There should be more regulation on a case-by-case basis regarding the use of solitary confinement for juveniles, but not a total ban
@B5WPHR5Independent1wk1W
Make it to where each person is put into an individual room with access to computers and educational programs to try rehabilitating the person.
@B5WGGSH1wk1W
Yes — with emergency-only exceptions. Solitary confinement should be banned as routine practice for youth. If absolutely necessary for safety (e.g. risk of immediate harm), it must be temporary, monitored, and followed by mental health support.
@B5W4RK32wks2W
Solitary confinement is a violation of our Constitutional right protecting us from cruel and unusual punishment. Human beings are naturally social creatures and it's wrong to keep someone in the dark without human companionship or communication while in prison.
@B5W3V8Q2wks2W
No, but the amount of time one spends in solitary confinement should be limited and alternatives should be considered for certain offenders
@B5VLPB92wks2W
Try adult crimes with adult times, less serious crimes should not be subject to excessive punishment.
@B5VL7622wks2W
Yes I think it’s cruel it’s hurts them psychologically and we need to work on rehabilitation programs
@B5TJSXD3wks3W
Yes — prisons should ban the use of long-term solitary confinement for juveniles.
Isolation can seriously harm young people and fails to promote rehabilitation. However, very short, carefully monitored separation may be allowed in extreme safety emergencies — but only with strong oversight, mental health care, and a clear plan to reintegrate the youth quickly.
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