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Section 46b-133k – Policy re suicidal and self-harming behaviors and use of solitary confinement, prone restraints and chemical agents in juvenile detention centers and correctional facilities detaining juveniles. Reporting

May 15, 2021 | Connecticut, Family Law

(a) Not later than July 1, 2020, the Commissioner of Correction and the executive director of the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Department, in consultation with the Commissioner of Children and Families, shall develop a policy of best practices in juvenile detention centers and correctional facilities where persons ages seventeen years and under are detained. Such practices shall address:

(1) Suicidal and self-harming behaviors, including the development of a screening tool designed to determine which detained persons are at risk for suicidal and self-harming behaviors;
(2) Negative impacts of solitary confinement;
(3) Harmful effects of using chemical agents and prone restraints on detained persons, including limiting and documenting the use of such chemical agents and limiting the use of prone restraints on such persons; and
(4) Programming and services for such detained persons, including implementing behavior intervention plans for such persons whose behavior interferes with the safety or rehabilitation of other detained persons and providing trauma-responsive rehabilitative, pro-social and clinical services embedded into such person’s schedule.
(b) The policy of best practices developed under subsection (a) of this section shall provide developmentally healthy and appropriate activities and recreational opportunities for such detained persons and their family members during visitation periods that are designed to strengthen family bonds and minimize trauma of separation. Such visitations shall include contact visits, unless such visit creates a risk of a harm to any person.
(c) Not later than July 1, 2021, the Commissioner of Correction and the executive director of the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Department shall fully implement the policy of best practices developed under subsection (a) of this section in juvenile detention centers and correctional facilities where persons ages seventeen years and under are detained that are operated or overseen by said commissioner or executive director.
(d) The Commissioner of Correction and the executive director of the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Department shall report to the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee established under section 46b-121n annually, not later than January fifteenth for the previous calendar year on the following:

(1) Suicidal and self-harming behaviors exhibited by persons detained in juvenile detention centers and correctional facilities where persons ages seventeen years and under are detained under said commissioner’s or executive director’s control or oversight;
(2) Uses of force against and the imposition of physical isolation of persons detained in juvenile detention centers and correctional facilities where persons ages seventeen years and under are detained under said commissioner’s or executive director’s control or oversight; and
(3) Any educational or mental health concerns for persons detained in juvenile detention centers and correctional facilities where persons ages seventeen years and under are detained under said commissioner’s or executive director’s control or oversight.

Conn. Gen. Stat. ยง 46b-133k

Added by P.A. 19-0187,S. 3 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2019 Regular Session, eff. 7/9/2019.