HF 2953

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/16/2016 01:24pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; corrections; requiring the commissioner of corrections
to study the use of solitary confinement and develop and implement a plan to
limit the use of solitary confinement.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin SOLITARY CONFINEMENT STUDY AND REPORT.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Policy statement. new text end

new text begin Scientific research of brain development has
established that solitary confinement of inmates permanently diminishes inmate brain
capacity. The adverse impact of solitary confinement on juvenile brain development is
particularly acute. It is the policy of this state that the use of solitary confinement should
be strictly limited and used only when less restrictive options have been exhausted and
proven to be ineffective at modifying inmate behavior.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Study and plan. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of corrections shall study the most
recent research on the impact of solitary confinement on brain development. Based on
the commissioner's study and consistent with the policy set forth in subdivision 1, the
commissioner must establish and implement, by January 1, 2017, a plan to strictly limit
the use of solitary confinement in this state including a specific plan to eliminate the use of
solitary confinement of juveniles. As part of the plan, the commissioner must limit the
duration of and circumstances that warrant solitary confinement.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin By December 15, 2017, the commissioner shall prepare and
submit to the legislature a report describing the department's revised guidelines for the use
of solitary confinement including a detailed explanation of each circumstance for which the
use of solitary confinement is authorized. The report shall include data on how the revised
solitary confinement use policy has affected the use of solitary confinement in this state.
new text end