Shackling in Transportation; Hobbling Fairness
On August 24, YLC demanded an end to indiscriminate shackling of juveniles being transported to court in Contra Costa County. The County shackles every child, irrespective of their offense. They are paraded down a public street in ankle chains, handcuffs, and waistbelts, under the watch of armed guards. Relatively few of the youth are detained for violent offenses, and close to 1 in 4 will have their case closed or dismissed. The demand letter gives the County until September 8th to respond. Contra Costa’s practices are detailed in a Huffington Post blog by YLC Staff Attorney, Sue Burrell: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sue-burrell/shackling-juveniles-in-tr_b_8032076.html.
The Contra Costa Times also reported on the demand letter. http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_28720746/