While incarcerated, children are often provided with inadequate education instruction, health care, and counseling services. They are at greater risk of maltreatment, physical and psychological abuse, sexual assault, and suicide. The use of solitary confinement further deprives them of social interaction, mental stimulation, and critical services during a critical time of adolescent brain development, the Children’s Defense Fund found. The report revealed that youth of color and LGBTQ youth are at heightened risk of being placed in solitary confinement.

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