Ending Isolation, Investing in futures: A Call to Action for shelby County Youth
The juvenile justice system in Shelby county is at a critical juncture. While Director of Corrections Anthony Alexander has pledged to eliminate solitary confinement, promises alone are insufficient to address the deep harm inflicted upon young people within the system. Currently, youth in detention are frequently denied access to basic rights, including education, exacerbating cycles of trauma and hindering their potential for rehabilitation.
The detrimental effects of isolation are clear. Prolonged solitary confinement, currently practiced in units like D-pod and H-pod, actively retraumatizes vulnerable youth. A truly restorative approach demands the immediate closure of these isolation units and a commitment to providing every young person with access to quality education, comprehensive mental health care, and programs designed to foster healing and positive growth.
The Youth Justice Action Committee (YJAC) has spearheaded a campaign advocating for a detailed, public transition plan. This plan must prioritize youth input,eliminate harmful practices,and provide robust retraining for staff. Recent meetings with local stakeholders and nonprofit organizations have shown promising steps,including the proposed creation of a Youth Action Council within the detention facility,and a commitment from the Division of Corrections to share updates and data regarding solitary confinement publicly.
However,a crucial element remains absent: the direct inclusion of youth with lived experience in the decision-making process.Their voices are essential to crafting a system that truly serves their needs and promotes genuine rehabilitation.
Moving forward requires more than internal assurances. We need a public, unequivocal commitment to end solitary confinement and to actively involve youth at every stage of the transition. Furthermore, independent oversight is vital to ensure ethical standards are consistently upheld, regardless of management or staffing changes.
the duty to support these young people – not isolate them – falls on all of us: community members, advocates, and decision-makers alike. Delaying justice means denying futures. The time for action is now, to dismantle harmful practices and build a safer, more supportive system for Shelby County’s youth.
Naya chadwick is a student organizing Social Work major at Jackson State University and Stand For Children intern dedicated to advancing youth justice and empowerment for system-impacted youth.
