Youth in Solitary Confinement

On 10 July 2014, the New York Advisory Committee held a briefing on New York's use of solitary confinement (or extreme isolation, as it is sometimes termed) of youth inmates. The expert presenters included representatives from various state and city agencies and institutions in the State of New York as well as advocates and former inmates. The Committee examined the extent of the use of solitary confinement of youth in the State of New York and the City of New York, and, in particular, the disproportionate assignment of racial minorities to solitary confinement. Based on the briefing, the book discusses the history of solitary confinement within the United States; the conditions of solitary confinement in New York jails; the mental, physical and developmental effects of solitary confinement on youth in New York jails; the primary legal protections related to solitary confinement of youth inmates; and the pending legislative, judicial and executive efforts to eliminate or limit the solitary confinement of youth.