The Justice for Juveniles Act, a federal bill that would reportedly make it easier for survivors of child sexual and physical abuse while in residential facilities, was recently passed by the House.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the bill would provide additional protection to children and teenagers in corrections facilities. The bill was reportedly introduced by Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.) in light of the allegations of child abuse at Glen Mills Schools, a youth detention center in Pennsylvania.

“Unfortunately, America’s prisons have been home to widespread abuse and mistreatment of youth,” states Representative Scanlon’s press release issued when the bill was introduced on Nov. 12, 2019. “Young people, meant to be focused on rehabilitation in a safe environment, are often subjected to systemic harms such as physical and sexual violence, solitary confinement, pepper spray, and harmful restraints from other youth and facility staff.”

Reportedly, if enacted, the legislation would allow survivors of abuse perpetrated in youth correctional facilities to be exempted from certain filing requirements under the Prison Litigation Reform Act of 1995. According to The Inquirer, survivors who wish to file a lawsuit must face several hurdles that make it difficult.

The Prison Litigation Reform Act (PLRA) was meant to reduce the number of frivolous lawsuits but, notes the Rep. Scanlon’s press release, it makes it difficult for abuse survivors to obtain any redress for their injuries. Currently, those who survive abuse in a youth correctional facility must first file a grievance. Further, in order to claim emotional abuse, they must also have suffered physical injuries. In addition to filing requirements, the Prison Reform Act caps the damages that a survivor can claim.

“We must protect the wellbeing of all children, including those housed in corrections facilities,” said Representative Scanlon of the Justice for Juveniles Act. “Not only are juveniles more likely to be subject to abuse but they are less likely to be able to remedy it because of their youth. Our bill aims to eliminate obstacles to juveniles seeking relief against abusers under the PLRA.”

The Justice for Juveniles Act is supported by the Campaign for Youth Justice and Juvenile Law Center. In addition to Rep. Scanlon, the bill was introduced by Kelly Armstrong (R-N.D.), Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), John Katko (R-N.Y.), and Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.).

Child Abuse Scandal at ‘Nation’s Oldest and Most Prestigious’ Reform Institution

In February 2019, The Philadelphia Inquirer published an investigation into Glenn Mills School. The privately-run youth correctional facility for boys aged 12 to 21 was accused of hiding allegations of abuse of children for decades. Shortly after the report, students were removed under an emergency order issued by the state’s child protection agency. In addition, most staff, along with the director, left.

According to the investigation, staff routinely abused boys at the school and also encouraged them to physically assault each other. In addition, staff withheld medical treatment for injuries. Youth were also told to lie about the causes of their injuries, reportedly with the threat of additional violence. The director of Glenn Mills Schools was accused of covering up the abuse.

Glenn Mills Schools was known as one of the top youth correctional facilities in the country. Also called “the Harvard of reform schools,” it had reportedly been run continuously for nearly 200 years.

Indeed, in the months since the investigation was reported, a number of former residents of Glenn Mills Schools have come forward with allegations of abuse. Survivors have filed both individual and class action lawsuits against Glenn Mills Schools alleging physical and sexual assault, as well as institutional cover-ups that protected their abusers.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.