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Commission backs ordinance to restrict seclusion and require restorative practices at youth detention center
Summary
After Department of Corrections and the Youth Justice & Education Center outlined operational changes — tablets for education, more in‑person visitation and outside recreation — the committee approved an ordinance that limits seclusion and requires restorative practices for detained youth, and sent the measure forward with a favorable recommendation.
The commissions law‑enforcement committee voted to recommend an ordinance that would restrict use of seclusion and mandate restorative practices at the Youth Justice & Education Center.
Deputy chief of staff Dana Wilson, Anthony Alexander from the Division of Corrections and YJEC Executive Director Reese Walker described a series of operational changes since the department assumed management last October: upgraded resident tablets for education and video visitation, expanded in‑person visiting, added outside recreation and completed phase‑1 facility repairs. Walker said the facility has also achieved two recent health‑inspection scores of 100.
Community advocates also supported codifying limits on seclusion. "This ordinance memorializes that the kind of treatment that the youth experienced under prior management will not happen again," said Rebecca Davis of the countywide juvenile justice consortium. The committee voted 3–0 to forward the ordinance with a favorable recommendation.
