Jenner & Block Files Federal Class Action Challenging Solitary Confinement of Youth in New York
News
January 9, 2026
Jenner & Block, in partnership with The Legal Aid Society, has filed a federal class action lawsuit challenging the New York State Office of Children and Family Services' (OCFS) practice of subjecting youth to solitary confinement.
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that OCFS routinely confines children alone in cells for up to 24 hours per day, sometimes for weeks or months, while denying them access to education, programming, and basic necessities. The complaint argues these practices violate the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to end these practices and ensure youth in OCFS custody receive humane, age-appropriate care.
The Jenner team is led by Partners Jeremy Creelan, Jacob Alderdice and Damian Williams with support from Associates Marielle Sanchez, Alex Ussia, Owen Keiter, Anne Warnke, Niki Wasserman, Lauren Hackett, Benjamin Rhind, and Jane Mezzino, and paralegal Anastasia Swetz.
Related Lawyers
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
January 9, 2026
Jenner & Block, in partnership with The Legal Aid Society, has filed a federal class action lawsuit challenging the New York State Office of Children and Family Services' (OCFS) practice of subjecting youth to solitary confinement.
The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that OCFS routinely confines children alone in cells for up to 24 hours per day, sometimes for weeks or months, while denying them access to education, programming, and basic necessities. The complaint argues these practices violate the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to end these practices and ensure youth in OCFS custody receive humane, age-appropriate care.
The Jenner team is led by Partners Jeremy Creelan, Jacob Alderdice and Damian Williams with support from Associates Marielle Sanchez, Alex Ussia, Owen Keiter, Anne Warnke, Niki Wasserman, Lauren Hackett, Benjamin Rhind, and Jane Mezzino, and paralegal Anastasia Swetz.
Related Lawyers
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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