Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s agency-request legislation to ban solitary confinement as a punitive practice for juveniles passed the Washington State Legislature today, in a strong bipartisan vote of 36-13. There is a growing national consensus that placing juveniles in solitary confinement is inhumane and does not improve behavior. Studies have shown solitary confinement to be both emotionally and psychologically damaging for youth, as well as ineffective at improving behavior. Solitary confinement exacerbates stress and other mental health conditions, particularly for youth.