Nebraska watchdog raises concerns over use of confinement in juvenile facilities

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The inspector general of Nebraska child welfare is raising concerns over the use of confinement in juvenile detention facilities.

Inspector General Jennifer Carter’s annual report – which was released Thursday – reviewed facilities using room confinement from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

Room confinement is typically used in the facilities “for safety and security reasons,” officials said.

But research shows that confinement “can cause significant psychological harm and an increased risk of self-harm among youth,” according to the inspector general’s office.

Carter reported a 44% increase in confinement incidents at juvenile facilities compared to the 2021-22 fiscal year.

The inspector general also found a 32% increase in total confinement hours and a 24% increase in confined youth.

At the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center in Kearney, confinement hours increased from 2,359 to 9,010.

“Our concern is that we’re seeing an increase everywhere and in particular in the duration,” Carter said.

Standards recommend that confinement should not last longer than 24 hours.

Sometimes facilities will use confinement for several consecutive days.  Most facilities will limit the number of consecutive days between two and eight.

But in one instance at the Lancaster County Youth Services Center, a juvenile was confined “for at least 13 hours for 129 out of 133 days,” according to Carter.

“Overall, the data clearly indicates a move away from best practices,” Carter wrote in the report’s executive summary.

To reduce confinement usage, the inspector general’s office suggests that juvenile facilities “implement dedicated staff for oversight.”

Officials also said the Nebraska Legislature must understand the needs of the facilities to better provide resources to ensure the safety of youth and staff.