On Feb. 13, the League of Women Voters of Nebraska submitted testimony in support of LB 230, a bill to provide for room confinement of juveniles as prescribed.

On Feb. 14, members of the Judiciary Committee heard testimony on the bill, but did not take any immediate action.

Download the submitted testimony or read the full text below.

Dear Senator Lathrop and Members of the Committee,

We write in support of Senator Pansing Brooks’  LB 230. The League of Women Voters of Nebraska supports a correctional system that provides for humane treatment of an accused or incarcerated offender, both juvenile and adult.

This seems to be a simple bill that provides important and humane constraints on the use of room confinement for juvenile offenders living in confinement facilities.  These limitations are critically important to the mental health and development of youth. The required report and rigid timeline will assure that there is timely awareness of the use of such confinement in youth facilities and will enable the Legislature to hold facilities accountable.  

We hope this bill receive Committee approval and broad support by the Legislature.  

Sincerely,

John F. Else, Director of Social Policy                                                        

Sherry Miller, President