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A new report from Nebraska’s Office of Inspector General of Child Welfare shows an increase in the number of youth confinements in the state’s correctional facilities, marking the highest record since data collection began in 2016.The report tracks how often youth correctional centers place youth involuntarily alone or without their peers. Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare Jennifer Carter said the legislature asked for the reports to be created to try to limit how often it’s used.”One kind of isolation for youths in particular can have some really psychological harm to the youth. However, it is not prohibited because there are also security and safety concerns that are real,” Carter said.The report listed 8,479 incidents, a 44% increase in incidents reported in the Nebraska fiscal year 2024-2025 compared to the previous year. Carter said this can help them identify where solutions need to be addressed in coming years.”You’re really using it as your main behavior management tool, which is also a problem and would indicate that maybe greater levels of programming are necessary, more mental health services may be necessary,” Carter said.This year, security concerns dominated the reasons for a confinement at 72%. The OIG defines these as instances where the youth as a danger to staff or others. It lists 25% of instances as administrative, where youth refused to comply with staff. The remaining 3% were medical instances.Carter says the report shows a positive change as well. The average duration of confinement is dropping.”Immediately address what might be a crisis or a concern. But then as soon as the youth is no longer a threat, allowing that youth back, with the with their peers,” Carter said.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google Search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
A new report from Nebraska’s Office of Inspector General of Child Welfare shows an increase in the number of youth confinements in the state’s correctional facilities, marking the highest record since data collection began in 2016.
The report tracks how often youth correctional centers place youth involuntarily alone or without their peers. Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare Jennifer Carter said the legislature asked for the reports to be created to try to limit how often it’s used.
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“One kind of isolation for youths in particular can have some really psychological harm to the youth. However, it is not prohibited because there are also security and safety concerns that are real,” Carter said.
The report listed 8,479 incidents, a 44% increase in incidents reported in the Nebraska fiscal year 2024-2025 compared to the previous year. Carter said this can help them identify where solutions need to be addressed in coming years.
“You’re really using it as your main behavior management tool, which is also a problem and would indicate that maybe greater levels of programming are necessary, more mental health services may be necessary,” Carter said.
This year, security concerns dominated the reasons for a confinement at 72%. The OIG defines these as instances where the youth as a danger to staff or others. It lists 25% of instances as administrative, where youth refused to comply with staff. The remaining 3% were medical instances.
Carter says the report shows a positive change as well. The average duration of confinement is dropping.
“Immediately address what might be a crisis or a concern. But then as soon as the youth is no longer a threat, allowing that youth back, with the with their peers,” Carter said.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google Search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
