What is Douglas County Youth Center?
Douglas County Youth Center, located in Omaha, Nebraska, is a juvenile detention facility that houses youth offenders, ranging from those awaiting trial to those serving time for crimes committed. The facility, like many others across the country, is responsible for providing care and rehabilitation to young individuals while ensuring their safety and well-being. However, recent reports and firsthand testimonies have highlighted serious concerns regarding the use of solitary confinement and other punitive measures at the center.
The facility was established to provide structure, safety, and rehabilitation to at-risk youth. However, the practices surrounding room confinement and the conditions within the facility have recently come under intense scrutiny. The center has faced allegations of violating state laws meant to protect the mental and physical health of juveniles, with confinement being used in ways that critics argue are not only harmful but also counterproductive to the rehabilitation of youth offenders.
Allegations of Illegal Confinement at Douglas County Youth Center
Recent reports from youth who have been detained at the Douglas County Youth Center paint a disturbing picture of life inside the facility, particularly regarding the use of room confinement, also known as solitary confinement. Youth offenders have shared accounts of spending prolonged periods in isolation, sometimes for as long as weeks or months, a practice that has been linked to severe psychological and emotional harm. These accounts reveal that confinement was often used as a punishment rather than as a necessary safety measure, contrary to Nebraska state law, which restricts its use.
One former detainee, a 16-year-old from Omaha, shared his harrowing experience of spending nearly two months in solitary confinement. According to the teen, the experience left him feeling “like an animal” and severely impacted his mental health. Many detainees have reported similar feelings of isolation, confusion, and anxiety, with some describing vivid nightmares about their time in confinement.
Despite state laws restricting the use of solitary confinement to specific, exceptional circumstances, public records and interviews with former detainees suggest that the practice continues to be used excessively. In fact, the Douglas County Youth Center has been responsible for more than half of the total room confinement hours reported statewide in recent years. These troubling figures have raised alarms among child welfare advocates and mental health professionals, who argue that solitary confinement for juveniles causes long-lasting harm, including depression, anxiety, and an increased risk of suicide.
Growing Concerns at Douglass County Youth Center
The core of the issue at the Douglas County Youth Center revolves around the use of solitary confinement and the failure of the facility to adhere to legal guidelines meant to protect the detainees. According to Nebraska law, room confinement should only be used when absolutely necessary, such as when a juvenile poses an immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. Furthermore, confinement must not last for an excessive period and should never be used as a punishment. However, testimonies from youth detained at the center reveal a widespread use of confinement lasting days or even weeks, often without adequate mental health support or rehabilitative programming.
In addition to the psychological toll of prolonged isolation, detainees also face inadequate access to education, recreational activities, and visitation during confinement. This lack of engagement further exacerbates the emotional and psychological harm experienced by these young individuals. Many survivors report feeling completely disconnected from the outside world, including missing important family visits and not being able to participate in educational activities, which are crucial for their rehabilitation.
Youth Detention Facilities Across the Country Face Similar Allegations
The issues at Douglas County echo similar complaints at other facilities across the country. At the Arthur Brisbane Child Treatment Center in New Jersey, former residents have come forward with disturbing accounts of physical and sexual abuse by staff, forced medication, and a deeply unsafe environment where violence was normalized. Survivors describe a facility that failed to offer trauma-informed care or meaningful mental health support.
At Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Los Angeles County, years of documented abuse—including excessive force, staff sexual misconduct, and unsafe living conditions—led to its closure in 2019. Although it reopened in 2023, serious concerns remain about the facility’s ability to provide a safe and rehabilitative environment for youth.
The McCracken County Juvenile Detention Center in Kentucky has also faced significant allegations. Reports describe a pattern of staff mistreatment, such as unnecessary physical restraints, retaliation against youth who complained, and a lack of basic mental health care. Detainees were allegedly subjected to punitive measures without access to meaningful education or emotional support.
Juvenile justice advocates argue that the solution lies in shifting away from punishment and toward true rehabilitation. Facilities like Douglas County—and others across the country—should prioritize counseling, education, vocational training, and restorative justice practices. These approaches have been shown to lower recidivism and help young people heal, grow, and reintegrate successfully into their communities. Continuing to rely on isolation and punitive control not only fails these youth but risks deepening the very trauma the system should be helping them overcome.
Survivors of Abuse at Juvenile Detention Centers Have Rights
If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, including prolonged solitary confinement, physical abuse, or inadequate mental health care, at the Douglas County Youth Center or any other juvenile detention facility, it is important to seek justice. Survivors of such abuse have the right to pursue legal action against those responsible for their mistreatment.
At Police Brutality Center, we specialize in helping individuals who have been victims of abuse in juvenile detention centers. Our team of experienced attorneys can guide you through the process of holding facilities accountable for their actions and help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve. It is crucial that survivors come forward, not only to hold those responsible accountable but also to help ensure that no other youth suffers in silence.
If you have been a victim of abuse at the Douglas County Youth Center or any other juvenile detention facility, don’t wait to speak up. Contact Police Brutality Center today for a free, confidential consultation. We are here to support you, help you understand your rights, and ensure your voice is heard. You are not alone in this fight, and justice is possible.
