Protecting Maryland's Youth: Addressing Violations in Adult Jails
In Maryland's adult jails, minors face harsh conditions, spending up to 23 hours a day in isolation, lacking access to schooling, and fearing sexual assault. The state has repeatedly violated federal standards meant to protect youth, leading to its characterization as an "outlier" by the federal government. Maryland law mandates that minors as young as 14 be charged as adults for certain crimes, resulting in most minors being sent to adult jails upon arrest.
Youth defenders like Erin Seagears witness the distress of minors in adult jails, seeing children in oversized adult uniforms and sobbing during their first meetings. The violations of federal standards are expected to cost the state $350,000 in federal funds over the next two years. The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act limits the time minors can spend in adult detention centers without a judge's approval and requires sight and sound separation between adults and minors.
Maryland's violations of federal standards have exceeded the acceptable threshold, leading to potential loss of federal funding. The state has failed to advance legislation that would bring it into compliance with the rules, resulting in minors enduring traumatic experiences in adult jails. The majority of minors booked in adult jails are awaiting court decisions, with Black boys comprising a significant portion of the bookings.
Corrections officials have lobbied lawmakers to prevent minors from being sent to adult facilities, but challenges remain in maintaining sight and sound separation. Adult jails lack educational and therapy programs available in juvenile detention facilities, leaving minors without essential services. The mental health of youth charged as adults is often neglected in adult jails, exacerbating their trauma and increasing the likelihood of reoffending.
Legislation to prohibit minors from being detained in adult jails has faced opposition, with the Department of Juvenile Services preferring to stop automatically charging youth as adults. Efforts to reduce violations of federal standards involve collaboration among multiple agencies to address the challenges faced by minors in adult jails. It is crucial to prioritize the well-being of youth and work towards compliance with federal guidelines to ensure their safety and rehabilitation.