When I was 16, I was incarcerated in juvenile hall.  Whenever I was moved within the facility, I was shackled. They would chain my ankles and handcuff my wrists to a belly-chain. I was bound like this anytime I went to see the nurse, the psychiatrist and whenever I went outside. Twenty years later, I still have scars where the cuffs carved into my ankles.

Policies in California’s youth prisons, including the use of shackles, cause serious harm to our children. The vast majority of incarcerated young people have already experienced significant trauma and violence, we should not be adding to the abuse.  While much more needs to be done to restore what has been stripped away from these children, California state officials recently took important steps towards returning some dignity to incarcerated youth.

When we lock youth up in a violent environment and punish them with violence we are not modeling behavior or helping them heal, we are adding to their trauma.  We also create distrust and a disconnection from the youth who need connection the most.

I was in juvenile hall when I was 16 because I took the life of the man who sexually trafficked me for 5 years.  I was incarcerated for nearly 20 years, and now that I am home, I work as a mentor to girls in juvenile hall.  I have seen over and over again that violence begets violence.

To read more of Sara Kruzan's article, please click here.