Fact check
“Research shows that larger facilities often involve harsher treatment of youth, including higher rates of sexual abuse and practices such as solitary confinement.”
Reasoning
The Propublica article cites research indicating that larger facilities are associated with harsher treatment, including higher sexual abuse and solitary confinement. The Bureau of Justice Statistics report offers quantitative data showing increased reports of staff sexual misconduct in facilities with 51+ youth compared to those with 10‑25 youth, confirming the sexual abuse component. No specific data on solitary confinement in larger facilities is provided, so that portion of the claim lacks direct support from the supplied evidence.
On confidence: Two independent sources provide data linking larger juvenile facilities to higher rates of staff sexual misconduct, supporting part of the claim. Direct evidence for solitary confinement practices in larger facilities is not present in the supplied sources.
Important context
The BJS data is from 2018 and reflects reported incidents of staff sexual misconduct, not necessarily all forms of abuse. The Propublica excerpt references unspecified research, and the claim about solitary confinement is not corroborated by the BJS report.
Evidence
Supporting (2)
- Tier 1 — Primary sourceTennessee to Spend Millions on New Youth Prisons Despite Juvenile Crime Drop — ProPublica
reliance on incarceration. “These institutions are not humane places,” he said, referring to large-scale youth facilities. “They’re not rehabilitative. They never have been.” According to Macallair, who has been working on juvenile justice…
- Tier 2 — Independent reportingindependent originFacility Characteristics of Sexual Victimization of Youth in Juvenile Facilities, 2018 – Statistical Tables | Bureau of Justice Statistics
domestic violence or civil protective order checks and two-thirds (68%) conducted drug use tests. A larger percentage of youth held in facilities with 51 to 100 (6.6%) or 101 or more youth (7.4%) reported staff sexual misconduct than youth…
Limitations
The evidence does not include direct statistics on solitary confinement practices in larger facilities, and the Propublica excerpt does not cite the original research study, limiting verification of that component. Only two sources are available, and broader literature is not considered.
- Last verified:
- Sep 27, 2026, 4:37 AM CDT
- Pipeline:
- 2.1.0
- Claim type:
- Factual
Where this claim appeared
Across the Country, Youth Prisons Are Closing. This State Is Building More.ProPublica · Paige Pfleger