State Senator Elgie R. Sims, Jr. spearheaded legislation aimed at abolishing solitary confinement for youth, resulting in improved outcomes for detained children.
“Sadly, across the nation, young people are being held in solitary confinement for unreasonably long periods of time, sometimes spending 22 hours or more alone each day,” said Sims (D-Chicago). “That is inhumane and can cause long-term grave psychological, physical and developmental harm.”
Sims’ legislation explicitly prohibits the utilization of solitary confinement for young detainees in detention centers, except in cases where there is an immediate risk of physical harm. Young individuals subjected to solitary confinement experience profound isolation both physically and socially, enduring periods of days, weeks, or even months without respite. Sometimes, they are granted a small window to allow natural light or a glimpse of the outside world beyond the confines of their cell walls.
Communication with fellow inmates may be possible through distorted voices echoing against concrete and metal. On rare occasions, they may receive a book, a Bible, or if fortunate, study materials. However, within the confined and restrictive space, time blurs together, making it challenging to discern the passage of hours, days, weeks, or even months.
“For children, who are still developing and more vulnerable to irreparable harm, risks are magnified – particularly those with disabilities or histories of trauma and abuse,” said Sims. “Children should not be deprived of the services, programming, and other tools they need for healthy growth, education, and development. We should be helping children grow into productive and healthy adults, not harming them, this is particularly true when they have come into the criminal legal system. If we are going to have true safety and justice, we must invest in a criminal legal system that creates pathways to success not one that tears down our young people and creates a cycle of recidivism.”
Senate Bill 3140 was signed into law Friday.
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