The primary goal of the Juvenile Solitary Confinement Project is to abolish the practice of placing children in solitary confinement. Solitary confinement is a pervasive practice in Florida. In Florida, approximately 25% of the children in adult prisons and jails are in solitary confinement on any given day. The Solitary Confinement Project represents two clients who were in solitary confinement for over seven years. Solitary Confinement harms the dignity of the child and violates Article 37 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child.
Through legislative advocacy and education, law students in the Solitary Confinement Project advocate for the abolishment of solitary confinement. Law students research and draft bills, testify at legislative committee meetings, and work with bill sponsors and non-governmental organizations to abolish the practice. In addition, law students try to nudge culture by educating the public about the practice. Law students write op-ed pieces against the practice and create videos and podcasts telling child survivors’ experiences of solitary confinement.
News, Events & Student Scholarship
- In February 2022, three Public Interest Law Center students published opinion pieces in major newspapers across Florida:
- 2L Emily Wood, “Florida Should End Solitary Confinement of Children” in the Tampa Bay Times. February 28, 2022
- 3L Precious Chavez, “Remove Our Children From Solitary Confinement” in the Tallahassee Democrat. February 27, 2022
- 2L Olivia Ingram, “Ban Solitary Confinement for Children” in the Orlando Sentinel. February 24, 2022