Ohio juvenile correctional facilities have come under scrutiny for locking
young mentally ill offenders in seclusion. According to a lawsuit recently
filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, secluding young mentally ill
offenders is a form of unlawful punishment, and one that causes “real,
irreparable harm.”
The federal agency filed the lawsuit this past Wednesday – March
12 – in an effort to compel the state of Ohio to change its policies.
According to federal officials, four of Ohio’s juvenile correctional
facilities have violated the due process of young offenders with mental
health disorders by locking them into seclusion.
Seclusion, feds claim, has become the MO for several juvenile correctional
facilities, with roughly 60,000 hours of seclusion imposed on boys in
2013 alone. Typically, seclusion is used as a form of punishment, similar
to solitary confinement. Ohio facilities have been found to impose seclusion
for days on end, often depriving boys of education, exercise, and behavioral
health services. The use of solitary confinement and seclusion for adult
and mentally sound inmates has long been scrutinized for being inhumane
and counterproductive to rehabilitation. For mentally ill individuals,
it can prove detrimental.
Mental Health Disorders & the Criminal Justice System
In recent years, advocates throughout the country have raised boisterous
concerns about the ways in which mentally ill offenders are handled within
the criminal justice system. Although there have been many positive changes
and an increased focus on providing the mentally ill with the help they
need, the system and policies in place are still far from perfect. For
example, the Justice Department also raised concerns about the inadequate
mental health care being provided in Ohio’s juvenile correctional
facilities.
Many organizations and mental health advocates are in support of the federal
lawsuit, which will hopefully provide the catalyst for change. Last year,
the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio urged the youth prison department
to ban seclusion entirely. Because these unlawful policies are used to
punish youth with mental health needs, Feds say, they victimize one of
the most vulnerable groups in our society. This, many are hoping, will
soon change.
If your child has been charged with a crime, or if you have questions about
defending against a
juvenile crime, call Koffel Brininger Nesbitt at 614-884-1100.
Call or text 614-884-1100 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
