Children's Rights Violated: ACLU Files Lawsuit Against Southern Illinois Detention Center for Inhumane Solitary Confinement

Children’s rights ACLU Southern Illinois detention center solitary confinement

By E.Baloyo , Parent Herald Jul 02, 05:45 am

Photo: (Photo : TANNEN MAURY / Getty Images)

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has taken legal action against a detention center in Southern Illinois, alleging the violation of children's rights through the use of inhumane solitary confinement practices.

The lawsuit shines a light on the conditions at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center, where young detainees as young as 11 years old are confined to small cells for up to 23 hours a day, subjected to limited access to basic necessities, and deprived of mental health support.

The ACLU of Illinois has recently filed a lawsuit against the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center, situated in Benton, Southern Illinois.

Allegations of Inhumane Conditions Unveiled

According to The Daily Best, the legal action asserts that the facility has been subjecting children as young as 11 to extremely harsh conditions, primarily through the use of solitary confinement.

The lawsuit claims that these young individuals are confined to cells comparable in size to parking spaces, spending up to 23 hours a day alone. Such prolonged isolation significantly impacts their mental well-being and overall development.

According to the lawsuit, young detainees at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center face additional challenges. They must seek staff permission even to perform basic activities such as flushing the toilet. Access to educational materials and schoolwork is often severely limited, with some children going days or even weeks without appropriate learning resources.

Shockingly, the lawsuit also reveals the presence of black mold growing on the walls of the facility, further compromising the health and safety of the detainees.

Violation of Children's Rights and Lack of Rehabilitation

ABC reported that the ACLU's legal action asserts that the conditions at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center are a direct violation of the children's rights protected under the 14th Amendment.

Kevin Fee, the lead lawyer representing the ACLU in the case, describes the situation as "inhumane to the level of being unspeakable."

The lawsuit seeks a court order to compel the facility to make immediate improvements and address the deprivation of the detainees' constitutional rights. Solitary confinement, especially for extended periods, has been widely recognized as harmful, particularly for juveniles.

The ACLU lawsuit highlights the contradiction between the purpose of the juvenile legal system, which should prioritize rehabilitation over punishment.

Clinical and forensic psychologist Apryl Alexander, who works with detained youth, emphasizes the need to treat these young individuals as capable of change and growth rather than subjecting them to inhumane conditions.

Calls for Urgent Reforms and Ban on Solitary Confinement

According to Time, the alarming revelations about the conditions at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center have sparked calls for immediate action and systemic reforms.

The ACLU of Illinois, through its lawsuit, aims to shed light on the unjust treatment endured by young detainees and bring about substantial changes in the facility's practices.

It is crucial to note that solitary confinement for youth has been prohibited by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice since 2015.

However, the recent legislation signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker serves to reinforce this ban, making it illegal to subject "young detainees in detention centers to solitary confinement for any purpose other than preventing immediate physical harm."

Clinical experts and advocates emphasize that solitary confinement can have severe consequences, including an increased risk of suicide and retraumatization, especially for young individuals who have already experienced trauma before their detention.

The lawsuit aims to hold the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center accountable for its actions and to ensure that the rights and well-being of detained children are safeguarded.

As of now, neither the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center nor the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice has issued a response to the allegations presented in the lawsuit.

In conclusion, the ACLU's lawsuit against the Southern Illinois detention center sheds light on the violation of children's rights through inhumane solitary confinement practices.

With mounting evidence of the detrimental effects of prolonged isolation, the legal action seeks urgent reforms to improve the conditions for young detainees at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center and ensure that their rights are protected moving forward.