An ACLU investigation revealed that a residential treatment center for at-risk youth routinely confines children in so-called “Reflection Cottages” for days and even weeks at a time. At El Pueblo Boys and Girls Ranch, the “Reflection Cottages” are small concrete rooms with no furniture other than a concrete slab that serves as a bed. Children are forbidden to speak with others and must ask permission to use the bathroom. Children are not allowed to go outside or provided opportunity for exercise.
Regulations of the Colorado Department of Human Services strictly controls the use of restraint and seclusion at childcare facilities. The regulations clearly prohibit seclusion of children “except in emergency situations and only after less restrictive alternatives have been exhausted.” The regulations also specify that seclusion should not exceed two hours except in the most extraordinary cases and should end when the emergency passes.
The ACLU of Colorado has called on the Department of Human Services to put a stop to El Pueblo’s violation of the state regulations restricting the use of solitary confinement.
View photos of the reflection cottages: Photo 1, Photo 2
ACLU news releases:
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“ACLU demands DHS end solitary confinement of children in Pueblo residential treatment center,” ACLU News Release, April 11, 2013
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“Stories of solitary confinement from children at El Pueblo,” ACLU News Release, April 18, 2013
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“ACLU-CO commends Pueblo City Schools for protecting kids at El Pueblo,” ACLU News Release, April 24, 2013
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“"Reflection Cottages": The Latest Spa Getaway or Concrete Solitary Confinement Cells for Kids?,” ACLU Blog, April 29, 2013
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“State shuts down solitary confinement of children at El Pueblo,” ACLU News Release, May 6, 2013
Media:
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“El Pueblo Treatment Center Draws Scrutiny For Alleged Teen Solitary Confinement Policies,” HuffPost, April 20, 2013
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“Colo. ends confinement at teen treatment center,” The Denver Post, May 7, 2013
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“Colorado ‘Treatment’ Facility Held Mentally Disabled Teen in Solitary for 25 Days,” Colorado Independent, May 9, 2013
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“Colorado clears teen treatment center to reopen,” The Denver Post, December 6, 2013
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“El Pueblo Child Abuse Problem May Be Systemic In Colo.: Ombudsman,” Patch.com, December 6, 2017
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“Years of abuse kept hidden at El Pueblo: Why hasn’t anyone been held accountable?,” KOAA, March 9, 2018
ACLU case number
2013-06
