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CORTEZ — A district court judge has ordered an end to indiscriminate shackling of youths in Cortez-area courtrooms.
An administrative order by Judge Doug Walker says placing kids in constraints may be contrary to the rehabilitation of offenders.
According to the Cortez Journal, judges will have the authority to decide whether juveniles in custody should wear constraints in their courtrooms. Decisions may be based on screening assessments and youth-services reports, the criminal charges and the juvenile’s history.
District Attorney Will Furse says he supports the new policy because he believes chaining teens is counterproductive and should be avoided.
