CONTACT:
LaTonya Johnson
MADISON – Today, Wisconsin State Senator LaTonya Johnson (D – Milwaukee) released the following statement regarding a decision made by a federal judge to curb the use of solitary confinement, pepper spray, and use of restraints at the teen prison complex Lincoln Hills School for Boys and Copper Lake School (Lincoln Hills):
“The crisis at Lincoln Hills affecting children, families, and workers has gone on for far too long under the neglectful watch of Gov. Walker’s administration. It took state and federal investigations to expose layers of systemic failures at Lincoln Hills and now a federal court to intervene in restoring safety at the facility.
“In following with the court’s order today, I hope that the state Department of Corrections and the ACLU can put forward a plan together that will ensure the immediate safety of youth and staff at the facility. Moving ahead, I look forward to continuing my work on additional measures to improve the safety and security of youth and staff in our juvenile facilities and ultimately improve outcomes for our children who encounter the justice system in Wisconsin.”
# # #
