老澳门开奖结果

Recently, the Senate Judiciary Committee鈥檚 Constitution Subcommittee on solitary confinement. The goal of the hearing was to comprehensively examine and reassess the overuse of solitary confinement in federal and state correctional facilities and detention centers. Sen. Durbin (D-Ill.), chair of the subcommittee, noted the hearing was about more than just solitary confinement, instead seeking to answer the question, 鈥淲hat do America鈥檚 prisons say about our nation and its values?鈥�

The 老澳门开奖结果 has long advocated putting an end to the excessive use of long-term solitary confinement and segregated housing in America鈥檚 prisons, especially for children, persons suffering from mental disabilities or illness, and other vulnerable populations. The 老澳门开奖结果鈥檚 national Stop Solitary campaign focuses on educating policy makers and the public about the excessive financial cost, and incredible damage to human dignity, associated with solitary confinement. In written testimony submitted to the subcommittee, the 老澳门开奖结果 pointed out the myriad flaws in the system: the excessive financial costs, the inhumane conditions of solitary confinement, and the devastating psychological effects those conditions have on individuals who spend days, weeks, months or even years alone in 鈥渢he box.鈥�

The 老澳门开奖结果 discussed the devastating impact solitary confinement has on vulnerable prison populations, including prisoners who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender, have intersex conditions (LGBTI) or are gender nonconforming. Chairman Durbin himself noted the problems associated with solitary confinement for vulnerable populations during the hearing. As solitary confinement has increased, he noted it is no longer just for those who are dangerous and violent, but 鈥淸i]nstead we鈥檙e seeing an alarming increase in isolation for those who don鈥檛 really need to be there, and for many, many vulnerable groups like immigrants, children, LGBT inmates, supposedly there for their own protection.鈥� While correctional officials often justify the use of solitary confinement as necessary protection for LGBTI prisoners, the stigmatizing effect of this practice can cause profound, long-term psychological damage. The recently finalized Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) regulations recognize that isolation of LGBTI prisoners can be psychologically harmful and physically dangerous, yet the practice remains all too common.

In immigration detention centers, LGBTI detainees are often subjected to discrimination, harassment, and physical threats. The recently released a report detailing detainee abuses entitled 鈥淚n Their Own Words: Enduring Abuse in Arizona Immigration Detention Centers.鈥� The report highlighted the unique struggles faced by LGTBI detainees placed in solitary confinement. One transgender detainee, Tanya, spent over six weeks in the Special Housing Unit (SHU). Once there, she was subject to demoralizing and dehumanizing treatment including physical abuse from detention center personnel and stigmatization once she was released from solitary confinement. Most LGBTI immigration detainees have not been convicted of any crimes, yet face incredibly degrading isolation and abuse in so-called 鈥渟pecial housing units.鈥� The Committee鈥檚 hearing this week marked a critical step toward eliminating abusive solitary confinement practices in the future.

Understanding the dangers of solitary confinement and exploring successful alternatives already being implemented are necessary first steps toward putting an end to the overuse of solitary confinement. With continued pressure and advocacy, the 老澳门开奖结果 hopes to play a leading role in bringing about a safe, sensible and humane solution to this critical civil liberties and human rights issue.

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