The Illinois Supreme Court has adopted rule changes on the shackling of juvenile suspects in Illinois courtrooms in the wake of criticism their use was too common, dehumanizing and counterproductive.
A Thursday court statement says the default shouldn't be to shackle juveniles and that it can happen only after a judge makes a clear finding the juveniles pose a threat to themselves or others.
Chief Justice Rita Garman says in the statement that the changes ``will eliminate instances of indiscriminate shackling of minors.''
One advocacy group praised the court. A statement from the Illinois Justice Project says the justices ``have made clear that unnecessary shackling of children in courtrooms will not be tolerated.''
It adds that shackling ``humiliates and traumatizes children'' and ``should only be done as a last resort.''