Illinois' new policy on shackling juveniles takes effect today. No longer can youth be handcuffed or forced to wear ankle chains in courtrooms without reason. Head of the Juvenile Justice Initiative Betsy Clarke calls automatic shackling an outdated practice.
"And it interferes of course with not just your own self-esteem and is traumatic and painful as well, but it also interferes with your ability to communicate with your lawyer and so forth."
Under the new statewide rules, a judge must hold a hearing to determine if a particular situation warrants shackling.
