‘Like you’re an animal:’ Nebraska youth, advocates say juvenile confinement breaks the law

Author: Livia Ziskey

Summary:
A new investigation reveals that the Douglas County Youth Center is routinely placing youth in solitary confinement for extended periods, often in violation of Nebraska state law. Youth described being locked in their rooms for 22 hours a day or more, sometimes for over a week at a time. These practices persist despite laws that prohibit confinement as punishment and require it to be used only as a last resort.

Youth interviewed reported psychological harm, lack of access to education, canceled family visits due to strip searches, and prolonged isolation without proper oversight. Staff at the facility argue confinement is necessary for safety, but admit it can feel punitive. Public records show Douglas County accounts for over half the total hours of juvenile confinement in the state.

Advocates and former public defenders are calling for stronger external oversight, noting that existing watchdog agencies lack enforcement power. Nebraska law mandates annual reports, but facilities self-report their data, and some youth say their confinement wasn’t even disclosed to their attorneys.

One teen summed it up: “Lockdown doesn’t do nothing but just drive you crazy.”