Murphy Urges Connecticut General Assembly to Strengthen Juvenile Justice System, Restrict Use of Shackles on Youth

Press Release

U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) urged the Co-Chairs and Ranking Members of the Connecticut General Assembly's Joint Committee on Judiciary to enact H.B. 7050, legislation that places reasonable limits on the use of shackles in Connecticut's juvenile courts. Murphy, who has been working to dramatically change the nation's juvenile justice policies, applauded State Senators Eric D. Coleman and John A. Kissel and State Representatives William Tong and Rosa Rebimbas for their continued leadership on the issue, and urged them to further strengthen H.B. 7050 by adding specific language to the bill that would ensure that shackling of Connecticut's youth is used only in the most extreme and rare circumstances.

In the U.S. Senate, Murphy has introduced several pieces of legislation -- the Better Options for Kids Act, the Supportive School Climate Act, and the At-Risk Youth Medicaid Protection Act - to reduce youth incarceration, improve youth outcomes, and enhance public safety. This Congress, Murphy will advocate for a reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA), a landmark statue that sets federal standards to protect youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system and creates standards related to youth shackling.

"When I speak about juvenile justice reform to colleagues in Washington, I frequently cite Connecticut's leadership in this area. We have made great strides in our state toward a system that better protects public safety while giving young people the kind of help they need to be successful at home, at school, and in the community. But there is an emerging national consensus that indiscriminate juvenile shackling is an indefensible practice. It is my sincere hope that Connecticut can continue to be at the forefront of juvenile justice reform and pass anti-shackling legislation, but I believe it could be further strengthened to ensure that shackling of youth is a practice that is used in only the most extreme and rare circumstances. It is time that Connecticut placed limits on the use of shackles in juvenile court, and I fully support your efforts and leadership in enacting new legislation to do so."

Source