the new york city department of correction ended punitive segregation for adolescents in december 2014, and ended punitive segregation for young adults, 18 to 21, in october 2016. this is partly due to the case of kalief browder. browder was falsely accused of and arrested for stealing a backpack in march 2010. he was placed in confinement for 3 years and would eventually commit suicide soon after his release, unable to cope with the traumatic psychological effects of confinement.