Children as young as 14 are being held in solitary confinement for weeks and months at a time in jails across the US.

According to a report released today by Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union, teenagers affected by the brutal policy are not only at increased risk from physical and mental health problems, but are also denied rehabilitative opportunities that should be provided to incarcerated children.

The report, "Growing up locked down: Youth in solitary confinement in jails and prisons across the United States", examines the cases of 125 young people, all minors, who spent time in solitary confinement across 19 states. Correctional officials in 10 states also contributed to the report.

See some of the kids' shocking testimonies here:

Read more: The Guardian looks deeper into child abuse within the US prisons system.

Sources: Human Rights Watch, ACLU,Guardian, YouTube