Commission advances ordinance to end overuse of seclusion for youth and establish restorative practices

The commission took a first reading on an ordinance amending the county code to limit seclusion of young people in detention and to establish restorative‑practice procedures at the Youth Justice & Education Center.

Dana Wilson, Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Harris, said the ordinance was shaped by conversations with the Department of Corrections, the Countywide Juvenile Justice Consortium, the Black Clergy Collaborative, and others, and asked for the commission’s support to "put that to rest" the overuse and abuse of seclusion. The ordinance came down from committee with a final recommendation and the commission recorded the vote to advance the item on first reading.