Bipartisan support for mercy: Banning solitary confinement of youth

Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced a bill to prohibit the use of solitary confinement of youth in federal juvenile facilities. Known as the MERCY Act, the bill bans solitary confinement, except for when the youth’s behavioral issue is so extreme it poses a serious and immediate risk to staff or other inmates.

Solitary confinement has devastating effects on teenagers’ mental health.  It puts them at risk of anxiety, hallucinations, self-harm, increased rage, and suicide.  Unfortunately, across the country, far too many young people are placed in isolation, often without schooling, counseling, books, paper, or human contact. 

“We are grateful for the bi-partisan leadership of Senators Booker, Durbin, Lee, and Paul for this huge step forward for young people,” Jessica Feierman, Juvenile Law Center supervising attorney, said. “Strong leadership at the federal level, which is taking direct aim at one of the most abusive practices in our justice system,  is critical to reform at the state level.”

Read more about the bill here.