September 27, 2013
An unbelievably (click here) widespread practice exists of placing children in solitary confinement (regularly referred to as “protective custody”), often for minor offenses. Solitary confinement has been shown to cause severe pain and psychological damage, and because of the vulnerability, and specific needs of adolescents, solitary confinement can be a particularly cruel and harmful practice when applied to them....
I caution those seeking the dissemination of solitary to distinguish the USA from Iran. It is not the same thing, except, for the fact individuals are 'at risk' of death.
There are places in the USA prison system whereby solitary is considered a safe haven from the general prison population where gangs rule 'the yard.'
My opinion, is that "Solitary Watch" is more than appropriate. An organization of citizens that regularly visit those in solitary to perform one task, "Habeas Corpus." Resources of such an organization can be quickly abused if the 'case' of the prison were to become the focus and would defeat the purpose.
This is the way I see it progressing. In visits to those in solitary, the abuses and neglect and potential deaths would build a case against the ability of the system to use this form of punishment. I am quite confident prisoners are considered secured and not 'a problem' so they are neglected by guards and the system.
Solitary has a rather ugly history. So, the argument begins with it's lack of legitimate use in securing danger people. Solitary is suppose to secure the general population from dangerous prisoners and not the other way around. It is suppose to provide hypervigilance of prisoners on 'suicide watch.' The argument can be made 'suicide watch' is not the responsibility of prison guards so much as medical personnel.
If the opposition to this form of incarceration is to be opposed it needs to base itself in fact, good analogies, records that can be validated, accountable witnesses and victims, families that support them and a well organized effort to move the problem to the public's attention without alienating the public as a dangerous movement.
March 27, 2014
By
At a time when New York State (click here) is winning praise for removing vulnerable people from solitary confinement in its prisons, the case of Mark Gizewski offers a sobering counterpoint.
Although he suffers from extreme physical disabilities and lives with constant pain, Gizewski has been in and out of solitary confinement for various prison rule violations. Now, he is suing the state in federal court, asserting that he has suffered medical neglect and physical abuse while held in New York’s prison system....
