On February 22, 2024, Associate Policy Director Sarah Sample testified before the House Judiciary Committee in opposition to HB 855- Juvenile Law- Restrictive Housing- Limitations. This bill imposes limitations on the use of restrictive housing for minors housed in local detention centers.
Counties also go to great lengths to keep incarcerated individuals from any type of nonpunitive isolation. Juveniles are no exception. But the provisions of this bill are in stark contrast to the current mandate of sight and sound separation for minors when housed in predominately adult facilities.
No warden takes the decision to use restrictive housing lightly. In a large-scale state-run facility, there may be multiple options to consider in managing difficult inmate cases. However, in county detention centers − frequently smaller in physical space than state facilities − such options may simply be unavailable due to physical space considerations. HB 855, however, holds both facilities to the same standard.
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