Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Excessive Punishment At Wisconsin Juvenile Justice Facilities

On June 23, 2017, a federal judge ruled that two juvenile facilities operated by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) excessively used solitary confinement, pepper spray and restraints as disciplinary measures. The judge ruled the excessive punishments violated youths’ constitutional rights. The judge ordered the DOC and the plaintiffs’ attorneys to propose the terms of a preliminary injunction and plan for improvement. They complied, and on July 10, the judge ordered the DOC to implement most of the critical changes by July 21, 2017. The state will have more time to implement changes that require additional training or programming for . . .