President Obama is using his executive authority to ban solitary confinement for juveniles in the federal prison system. In an op-ed for the “Washington Post,” Obama says the practice of solitary confinement is overused and can have damaging psychological effects on youthful offenders. Congressman Fred Upton is in support, saying “we shudder at these crimes that are committed, but I think he has a point here, I really do.
“We need sentencing reform,” continued the Republican from St. Joseph. “I think it is going to be a major issue that Speaker Ryan gets moving to the House floor. I hope the Senate can do so as well.”
The President’s reforms come after he asked the Department of Justice to research the practice of solitary confinement in the federal prison system.
