NY kids kept in state solitary confinement for months without toilets, new suit claims: 'Barbaric'

A new class action lawsuit accuses New York’s Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) of routinely and unlawfully placing children as young as 12 in solitary confinement within its juvenile detention facilities. The suit claims children were confined to small, barren cells for extended periods – sometimes up to 24 hours a day – due to minor infractions or staffing shortages, and in some cases, lacked access to toilets, fresh water, or adequate hygiene.

Plaintiffs, all Black and Brown youth from New York City, detail experiences of prolonged isolation lasting weeks or months, despite a statewide prohibition on solitary confinement for youth in adult facilities. The lawsuit highlights the detrimental impact on the children’s mental health, with some expressing suicidal ideation and a sense of hopelessness. One plaintiff, Isaac, a 17-year-old with PTSD, saw his progress towards earning a high school diploma undermined by repeated solitary confinement. Another, Christopher, stated he would rather return to Rikers Island due to the lack of basic amenities and programming in the OCFS facility.

The suit also points to systemic issues within the facilities, including chronic understaffing, unsafe conditions, and a lack of essential youth programming, as documented in a letter from the staff’s union. Attorneys argue that the “barbaric” and inhumane conditions demand immediate legal intervention to force systemic change and ensure vulnerable youth receive appropriate care, including basic hygiene, education, and rehabilitative services.

(Source：New York Post)