A troubling new trend has emerged in Iowa schools over the past year: the use of cramped, dark boxes known as “seclusion enclosures” as a method of punishment. These small pine structures, designed to isolate children during disciplinary actions, raise significant concerns about the treatment of students.
When did we begin to treat children like criminals? These enclosures are typically six feet by six feet, with limited light and ventilation, accessible only from the outside. It’s a stark and alarming practice that echoes the notorious “chokey” from Roald Dahl’s Matilda. Parents in Iowa have voiced their outrage since these seclusion rooms began appearing in schools.
These rooms often have padded walls and little to no airflow, with some complaints describing them as “a plywood box lined with foul-smelling black horse stall mats.” One guardian, Sarah Johnson, recounted her horror when she learned her child was confined in such a space, having heard her daughter screaming for help. By the time she arrived, the child had been released, but the trauma from the experience lingered.
What’s more troubling is that Iowa schools do not require parental consent for this type of punishment. While parents must be notified on the same day a child is secluded, they have no power to approve or disapprove of the practice. It’s hard to believe any reasonable parent would agree to their child being locked away in a dark, hot, and unpleasant space.
Using these seclusion rooms as a form of punishment for minor infractions—like talking out of turn or misbehaving at recess—seems counterproductive. Reports indicate that students can spend up to an hour or more in these isolated spaces, which are often described as “little dungeons.” Despite ongoing legal challenges and evaluations by the Iowa City Community School Board, these rooms continue to operate in at least 18 schools across the state. Since Iowa defines corporal punishment as “intentional physical punishment,” these seclusion rooms manage to evade the state’s prohibition against such practices.
While officials claim they are working to improve conditions and the overall learning environment, one must question the lessons children learn from being confined in a small box. Yes, immediate intervention is crucial when a child poses a risk to themselves or others, but is a six-foot “Pine Box of Terror” really the best response?
Schools are entrusted with the care of our children, and they must do better. Further traumatizing students is inhumane and unnecessary. For more insights on improving parenting and family dynamics, check out our guide on home insemination kits, or visit CDC’s infertility resource for valuable information.
In summary, the use of solitary confinement in Iowa schools raises serious ethical questions about child discipline. While intended to correct behavior, these measures often lead to greater harm than good, leaving lasting psychological impacts on children. The practice must be reevaluated and replaced with more constructive methods that ensure the well-being of students.