Senate Bill 179

Background: Senate Bill 179 would permit a court to commit a juvenile adjudicated delinquent for certain weapons offenses to the Department of Corrections.

Our Stance: The ACLU of South Dakota opposes Senate Bill 179.

Young people are still developing and should be given opportunities for treatment, rehabilitation, and positive reinforcement, not thrown into an adult correctional facility. Instead of putting our youth in jails and prisons, we should instead provide effective community-based services and supports to system-involved young people and their families.