A story by Dan Adams
Stripped Of More Than Clothing
By Dan Adams
The act of strip-searching can cause immense emotional trauma, particularly in young
people. This can include feelings of anxiety, depression, difficulty concentrating, sleep
disturbances, phobic reactions, shame, guilt, and a variety of other long-lasting emotional scars.
The Columbia Human Rights Law Review argues that these effects are cruel and unusual, and
that the principles governing conditions of confinement under the Eighth Amendment should
also apply to juvenile strip searches Cruel and Unusual Trauma: How Eighth Amendment
Principles Governing Conditions of Confinement Should Apply to Juvenile Strip Searches –
Columbia Human Rights Law Review. These negative consequences last for years and often
never improve due to the lack of seeking help. This inability to seek help is due to being made
to feel as if one asked for the stripping. Strip searches are dehumanizing, humiliating,
traumatic, and state-sanctioned sexual violence. I do not say that lightly, and this is exceedingly
difficult to talk about as I (as well as many others) have had (been forced) to quietly suffer with
all the above-mentioned.
Picture this: you are told to strip naked in front of a stranger (or two) without the
presence of anyone you trust to protect you. The strangers have a camera, and now you must
show (in ways likened to that of pornography) the most private parts of your body to them.
This is not something you want to do; however, you are not free to protect your most sensitive
and personal areas against their request without risk of harm. This is dehumanizing and fear
inducing, plus there are many serious mental effects of this dehumanization. Now, imagine
being a child away from a safe guardian or parent, being scolded and alone while you are
experiencing this.
Denial of human uniqueness is a type of maltreatment that affects an individual's sense
of self-worth and identity (Strip-Searching Children Is State-Imposed Trauma
(americanbar.org)). It refers to the act of treating someone as if they lack the qualities that
make them unique and valuable as a human being. Such maltreatment includes being treated
as incompetent, unintelligent, unsophisticated, and uncivilized, which can lead to aversive self-
awareness, self-blame, and feelings of guilt and shame.
As a child, being denied the most human of needs – such as the right to control who
touches your body, such as the uniqueness we sense with keeping our bodies to ourselves, is a
significant form of maltreatment that one can experience and has profound consequences for
our mental health and well-being. It is unacceptable to treat individuals in such disgusting ways.
It also goes against the fundamental principles of dignity, respect, and equality. Every individual
has inherent value and potential, and so they should be treated.
The argument for strip searches by law enforcement and corrections is based on a
“security” argument. Law enforcement technically by policy can only strip search you if they
reasonably believe you have concealed an item that you should not have, and they believe it
necessary to remove that item. Strip searches are often carried out after an arrest, but you do
not need to have been arrested to be strip searched. The policy for individuals under 18 in
Maine can be found on the Department of Corrections website Policies and Rules | Department
of Corrections. However, many law enforcement arbitrarily make the choice based on a
nefarious belief that a person has a concealed item and therefore, forces a person to engage in
this act against a person’s will. This leads me to believe that there is some sick interest involved
in the officers deeds. Personally, I could never understand why anyone would ever take a job
that has a requirement to look at naked people, especially children, vulnerable and isolated in
fear.
Some other dehumanizing practices in the juvenile judicial system are:
1. Forced medication (For which we sign for without parental consent)
2. Excessive use of force
3. Solitary confinement
4. Denial of medical treatment
5. coercive treatment
6. Inhumane treatment of prisoners
7. Denial of basic human rights
8. Discrimination based on gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation
9. Denial of legal representation
10. Forced labor
These practices, much like strip searches, have a negative impact on the mental and physical
health of those involved and may also contribute to a lack of trust in the justice system. Being
subjected to strip searches and all of the above forms of abuse does not allow people to be fully
human.
It is easy to forget that we all started off as someones little angel. But when we find
ourselves in places like juvenile hall, jail, or prison, we are forced to become either warriors or
victims. There is no in-between in these places. Once we decide to take on a certain identity, it
becomes us. It is up to us to maintain this identity as a way of life, and the stakes are high: it is a
matter of survival or death. What would you choose?
Having experienced the many dehumanizing practices mentioned above, I would like to
propose recommendations for this system. Some of these recommendations may have already
been implemented from the juvenile justice work being done in Maine over the last decade.
Others are, the alternatives to strip searches should be to introduce body scanners which are
present in many correctional institutions. They are never utilized because many officers are
untrained in the use of body scanners or dislike the process of starting up the machine due to
the misconception that body scanners are an inconvenience. Not only are Body scanners less
harmful to one’s mental health but they make the booking process more efficient. Strip
searches could take up to 10 minutes, while body scanners can complete the process in just 30
seconds to one minute. I can personally attest to being subjected to more than one strip search
in a day throughout my time incarcerated as a youth.
We should end any programming in Maine that models the “Scared Straight” programs.
We must scrap “Scared Straight” programs and start a new program titled Cared Straight or
Cared Great. The program would be designed to target the emotional barriers that many
troubled juveniles have, which could prevent them from benefiting from programs like "Scared
Straight". The goal of the Cared Straight or Cared Great program would be to help these
juveniles overcome their emotional barriers and guide them towards positive behavioral
changes. Imagine a world where troubled youth, who have built emotional walls as defense
mechanisms against aggressive techniques that work against the help programs like "Scared
Straight" aim to provide, are able to break down those walls and find the support and guidance
they need to make a positive change in their lives. Cared Straight/Cared Great is a program
designed to do just that. Through a carefully crafted approach, Cared Straight/Cared Great will
focus on identifying and addressing the emotional barriers that prevent these young individuals
from benefiting from traditional programs. The program will strive to provide them with the
support, encouragement, and guidance they need to overcome their challenges and lead
fulfilling lives.
As a troubled youth myself, I built many emotional barriers that blocked every
aggressive attempt to get me to conform to a conducive and positively productive lifestyle. The
moment I was met with compassion and understanding by people who could relate to my
experiences I was essentially hit below the emotional belt due to not having built any form of
emotional defense barriers against this form of interaction. Compassion and understanding
from others had a profound effect on me. It's understandable that this kind of interaction
would be unexpected if one hasn't experienced it before. Building up emotional defense
barriers can be useful, but it's also important to have supportive people in your life who can
provide a sense of safety and understanding. Having a support system can help one feel more
equipped to handle difficult situations and emotions.
The work of Restorative Justice and diversion programs in Maine as a promising path
should be promoted by all. Speaking from experience, it is imperative to keep our youth in a
safe and supportive environment where they can feel comfortable sharing experiences. This
could involve surrounding them with people that have broken laws and are now on the road to
success, as well as hiring honest and transparent mental health professionals. Second, consider
incorporating activities and exercises that help build healthy emotional expansion, such as
cognitive-behavioral techniques or mindfulness. It is important to provide continued support
and resources for the youth even after the program has ended. This could involve ongoing
therapy, support groups, and more. The goal is to create a program that is specific to each of
the unique needs of the youths we are working with and provide them with the tools and
support needed to cope with difficult emotions and build resilience. Involving families in the
program should be of high importance, with this we can create a more understanding and
supportive environment for our youth to thrive in.
The recommendations mentioned above are steps to continue in the future. But what
about those of us who have lived through the hell of “juvenile corrections?” For the thousands
of formerly-incarcerated children, I have some recommendations. I suggest Maine establish a
well-defined Commission that provides redress to the past and current victims of abuse
inflicted by the juvenile correctional system. The commission should function in a manner like
the Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth and Reconciliation Commission (MWTRC), which
was created to investigate the abuse and neglect suffered by Native American children in
Maine's child welfare system. Such a commission – recognizing Adult Survivors of Juvenile
Detention Facilities in Maine, should be able to investigate and hold accountable the predatory
individuals and systems who caused harm to those in their care. The commission should also
provide support services to victims and their families, including counseling, financial assistance,
and access to legal aid. The commission should be mandated to review and evaluate the
policies and practices of the juvenile correctional system to ensure that they align with the
principles of justice, fairness, and human rights. Additionally, the commission should be
empowered to make recommendations for changes to these policies and practices where
necessary.
In addition to the ideas mentioned above, I suggest reparations for those who have
been affected by the juvenile justice system. The reparations can be in the form of financial
compensation, mental health services, or other forms of support that can help them cope with
the traumatic experiences they have faced. It is important that we take all necessary steps to
provide justice to those who have suffered due to the flaws in the juvenile justice system.
Overall, the establishment of a commission for victims of abuses inflicted by juvenile
correctional officers is an essential step towards ensuring justice is served and the rights and
dignity of those affected are protected. This will ensure justice is served to those who have
suffered from these predatory individuals.
I lived through strip searches and other dehumanizing practices in the Maines juvenile
correctional system. While I applaud the work being done to reform this system, I am a survivor
who would like to see more done to address our pain. I want proper recognition and
reimbursement for all who have been stripped of more than just their clothing.
Works Cited
Strip-Searching Children Is State-Imposed Trauma (americanbar.org)
Policies and Rules | Department of Corrections
Cruel and Unusual Trauma: How Eighth Amendment Principles Governing Conditions of
Confinement Should Apply to Juvenile Strip Searches – Columbia Human
