In an article in the New York Times, it was reported that
"The new policy, contained in a memorandum issued Monday
by Joyce Burrell, a deputy commissioner at the state
Office of Children and Family Services, prohibits shackles from
being used under any circumstances for youths held at so-called
nonsecure and limited-secure youth prisons. Those facilities
typically hold youths who have committed nonviolent offenses
equivalent to misdemeanors." The office defines shackling as linking
together handcuffs, feet cuffs and a waist belt.
It is hard to understand why the term "prison" is used to classify
a facility that is non-secure or even limited-security whose residents
have committed the equivalent of misdemeanors.
Exceptions are made for those youth considered to be violent or
dangerous. The correction officers union is planning to sue
because it is felt that officers are being put into dangerous situations.
When a juvenile is transferred, handcuffs are allowed to be used but
only for frontal cuffing.
The new orders come after a lawsuit brought against the Office for Children
Juvenile and Family Services where the finding concluded that staff
were routinely violating rules.
Other changes will undoubtedly be made in the New York juvenile facilities
amid a growing number of reports of abuse taking place.
It is important to keep a watch on the situation to determine if there are
unexpected consequences that emanate from the new law.
Would taking steps to provide mental health and other services to these
youth instead of placing them in facilities be a wiser choice? New York is
facing severe budget cuts that will undoubtedly impact the services that
can be provided.
Do you agree with the policy? Why? Why not?
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