Civil Rights Orgs Cautiously Optimistic About Senate Vote on FIRST STEP Act

Sue Mangold, CEO of Juvenile Law Center:

“Youth placed in solitary confinement face devastating consequences including depression, sleeplessness, psychosis, and hallucinations. Youth solitary confinement can lead to self-harm and even suicide. This reform package takes the important step of prohibiting the use of solitary confinement for youth in the federal justice system. We applaud Senator Booker for his tireless efforts to include this provision. The developing adolescent brain is especially harmed by solitary confinement. Every state should follow this federal lead to ban the use of solitary confinement of youth.”