Whilst I agree that there is an overuse of solitary confinement and deprivation techniques in the prison system, I can't help wondering what the behavior is that the officials are trying to modify. Surely trying to reduce a prisoner's dependence on drugs or violence for example, is a positive form of behavior modification which could even be termed "rehabilitation"?
Thanks for clarifying. I understand what you're saying. I'm sorry to hear what you say about victim's rights groups being so hostile (at times at least) to the idea of forgiveness or asking for it. Because, as you say, I agree that forgiveness benefits everyone. Thanks again for sharing your essay and for responding to my comment.
So glad you posted this. I just finished the transcription. You write beautifully and I hope to hear more from you :)
I want you to know that you have not been forgotten and that people support you. I write for a website that is working to bring this issue out of the shadows and increase public awareness. In fact, there was an important victory in Maine today - I've included pieces of the story for you below.
People are fighting for you, myself included.
STAY STRONG,
Lisa
Maine’s Success Shows Reform is Both Necessary and Possible
March 11, 2013 PORTLAND – A new report out today from the ACLU of Maine documents the successful reform of solitary confinement in Maine’s prisons. Change Is Possible: A Case Study Of Solitary Confinement Reform In Maine provides a case study of what is possible and a model for achieving significant change.
“Solitary confinement is dangerous, cruel and costly. Thankfully, a movement to reform solitary is growing quickly, and we are hopeful that other states and the federal government will join Maine in making changes that benefit everyone,” said Zachary Heiden, ACLU of Maine legal director and the author of the report. “Maine’s state motto is Dirigo, ‘I lead.’ Solitary confinement reform should be a case in point.”
Working closely with corrections officials, the ACLU of Maine, the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition and others undertook a campaign to reform solitary confinement in Maine seven years ago. Since then, Maine has reduced the population of its solitary confinement Special Management Unit (SMU) by over 70 percent.
As the report describes, in addition to reducing the overall SMU population, prisoners who do end up in solitary in Maine spend less time there, are treated like human beings while there, and are shown a clear path to reentry into the general prison population....
“Maine’s successful reforms represent a rebuttal to everyone who declares that solitary reform cannot or should not be done,” said Heiden. “Reform of this brutal practice is both necessary and possible...."
The group will submit the report to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) tomorrow and urge the commission to investigate the use of solitary confinement nationwide. The IACHR is an autonomous arm of the Organization of American States whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere.
RSS
Thanks for clarifying. I understand what you're saying. I'm sorry to hear what you say about victim's rights groups being so hostile (at times at least) to the idea of forgiveness or asking for it. Because, as you say, I agree that forgiveness benefits everyone. Thanks again for sharing your essay and for responding to my comment.
So glad you posted this. I just finished the transcription. You write beautifully and I hope to hear more from you :)
I want you to know that you have not been forgotten and that people support you. I write for a website that is working to bring this issue out of the shadows and increase public awareness. In fact, there was an important victory in Maine today - I've included pieces of the story for you below.
People are fighting for you, myself included.
STAY STRONG,
Lisa
Maine’s Success Shows Reform is Both Necessary and Possible
March 11, 2013 PORTLAND – A new report out today from the ACLU of Maine documents the successful reform of solitary confinement in Maine’s prisons. Change Is Possible: A Case Study Of Solitary Confinement Reform In Maine provides a case study of what is possible and a model for achieving significant change.
“Solitary confinement is dangerous, cruel and costly. Thankfully, a movement to reform solitary is growing quickly, and we are hopeful that other states and the federal government will join Maine in making changes that benefit everyone,” said Zachary Heiden, ACLU of Maine legal director and the author of the report. “Maine’s state motto is Dirigo, ‘I lead.’ Solitary confinement reform should be a case in point.”
Working closely with corrections officials, the ACLU of Maine, the Maine Prisoner Advocacy Coalition and others undertook a campaign to reform solitary confinement in Maine seven years ago. Since then, Maine has reduced the population of its solitary confinement Special Management Unit (SMU) by over 70 percent.
As the report describes, in addition to reducing the overall SMU population, prisoners who do end up in solitary in Maine spend less time there, are treated like human beings while there, and are shown a clear path to reentry into the general prison population....
“Maine’s successful reforms represent a rebuttal to everyone who declares that solitary reform cannot or should not be done,” said Heiden. “Reform of this brutal practice is both necessary and possible...."
The group will submit the report to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) tomorrow and urge the commission to investigate the use of solitary confinement nationwide. The IACHR is an autonomous arm of the Organization of American States whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere.