Long Islanders to rally to reform solitary confinement rules
In an effort to push legislation restricting use of solitary confinement for state prisoners, the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock will light candles and read writings from current and former inmates who have spent time in solitary confinement. Credit: Getty Images / Martin Carlsson
Community activists and religious leaders will rally Monday night at a Manhasset church and at five other sites across the state to press the state legislature to pass a bill that would reform solitary confinement rules in New York jails and prisons.
Members of the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock will light 23 candles and for 23 minutes will read writings from current and former inmates who have spent time in solitary confinement.
The rally, along with others in Brooklyn, Albany, Ithaca, Beacon and Poughkeepsie will be hosted by the Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement. The group has held similar events every month for the past six months.
The groups claim that inmates in New York are regularly held in solitary for as much as 23 hours a day, often for months or years at a time. On average, the group said, more than 5,000 inmates are in solitary every day in New York.
The Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement said periods of extreme isolation and lack of normal interaction can lead to severe psychological and physical damage. The state places no limit on the total amount of time a person can spend in isolation, the group said.
CAIC is calling for state legislators and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to pass the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, which would limit isolated confinement to no more than 15 consecutive days or 20 days total in any 60 day period.
The bill would also provide more rehabilitative options for inmates and prohibit from solitary anyone under the age of 21, over the age of 55; anyone with physical, medical or medical disability; pregnant women and those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex.
The Senate and Assembly bills are currently in committee and have yet to come up for a vote.
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