ACLU-MS Comment on Revised JPS Restraint and Seclusion Policy

JACKSON, Miss – On February 17, the Jackson Public School (JPS) Board of Trustees adopted a revised student restraint policy after advocacy groups publicly commented at a JPS Board meeting. After the meeting, the ACLU of Mississippi worked in partnership with Dr. Cedric Gray and members of the school board to craft a policy that outlines the use of restraint and seclusion techniques in school.

In December, the American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi, the Mississippi Center for Justice, Mississippi Parent Training Institute, and Families as Allies asserted that the policy failed to focus on creating a safe environment for students and faculty, lacked clarity in the definitions of the techniques that open the door for harm, and did not promote positive behavioral interventions, among other concerns.

The following is a statement from ACLU of Mississippi Legal Director Charles Irvin about the revised policy:

“The changes enacted by the Jackson Public School District ensure that students can be assured that school is a safe place and are free to learn. The revised policy has more emphasis on prevention, robust definitions, more specificity to the training component and inclusion of proper reporting guidelines.

We applaud their efforts in taking a generic policy and bringing added clarity for the benefit of students, parents and administrators.”

To view the revised policy visit: http://www.aclu-ms.org/files/9914/2567/3214/jdhab_passed_feb_17_2015.pdf

To view this online visit: http://www.aclu-ms.org/news/2015/03/06/aclu-ms-comment-revised-jps-restraint-and-seclusion-policy