A state advisory committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights says solitary confinement should be ended for young inmates in New York jails and prisons.
The 58-page report released Tuesday says 23-hour confinement exacerbates young people's mental health problems and stunts emotional and physical growth.
It says isolating inmates who break jailhouse rules isn't acceptable for anyone younger than 25.
It says New York should raise the age someone is criminally charged as an adult from 16 to 18.
The report urges the Department of Justice to use its powers to eliminate solitary for inmates under 25 in state lockups.
A DOJ spokeswoman didn't immediately comment.
City officials have vowed to end solitary for 16- and 17-year-olds on Rikers Island after a scathing review by federal prosecutors.
