The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights will hold a briefing on Friday, June 12, 2026, to investigate mental health care and consequences in juvenile justice facilities. The federal government has an obligation to uphold the civil rights of all youth in juvenile justice facilities, including by providing physical and mental health care. Briefing panelists will discuss potential violations of these civil rights, as well as racial disparities in access to mental health care during confinement.
Many incarcerated youth have mental health issues that are left untreated during confinement. Inadequate mental health care, coupled with abuse and violence in some youth facilities, can create an unsafe environment for children and adolescents sentenced to serve time in residential facilities. A recent report from the Texas Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights finds that 69% of youth confined in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department have moderate to severe mental health needs, and that self-harm and suicide are increasing.
At this public briefing, the Commission will hear from subject matter experts, such as federal and state government officials, community advocates, and impacted persons who have lived and worked in juvenile facilities. The Commission will accept written materials from the public for consideration as we prepare our report. Written materials may be submitted to juvenilejusticebriefing@usccr.gov no later than July 12, 2026.
This briefing is in-person and open to the public.
DATE:
Friday, June 12, 2026, 9 am – 4:50 pm ET*
LOCATION:
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
1331 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 1150
Washington, DC 20425 (National Place Building F Street Entrance)
The briefing will also be live-streamed on the Commission’s YouTube page.
Computer assisted real-time transcription (CART) will be provided. The web link to access CART (in English) on Friday, June 12, 2026, is https://www.streamtext.net/player?event=USCCR. Please note that CART is a text-only translation that occurs in real time during the meeting and is not an exact transcript.
To request additional accommodations, persons with disabilities should email access@usccr.gov by Monday, June 8, 2026, indicating “accommodations” in the subject line.
*Schedule subject to change
publicaffairs@usccr.gov