An attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union says solitary confinement for juveniles is essentially over in Illinois.
A federal judge recently signed off on an agreement between the ACLU and the Department of Juvenile Justice.
The agreement bans the use of solitary as punishment and requires all juveniles to get eight hours a day outside their cells.
“So social isolation is gone, and therefore solitary confinement is gone,” Adam Schwartz, who is with the ACLU, said. “And this eight hour rule in Illinois is the most progressive rule in the country right now.”
A department spokesman said in a statement they are pleased with the judge’s decision.
