Solitary Confinement
The Solitary Confinement topic provides in-depth coverage of issues, debates and policies related to the use of isolation in correctional facilities.
The bill places a four-hour limit on isolating inmates who pose an immediate risk of violence to others or themselves in “de-escalation” units
CDCR’s new regulations would give solitary inmates up to 20 hours of outside cell time per week, up from the 10 hours they are currently allowed
The lawsuit alleges that the DoC, which didn’t comment, confines people with serious mental illness by withholding evaluations, diagnoses and care
Gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin is demanding Gov. Kathy Hochul release data on assaults on COs since a solitary confinement reform law took effect on April 1
One official said that the HALT Act has done nothing to improve the quality of life for the officers and inmates in corrections facilities
Officials said the Department of Correction isn’t ready to implement its plan in a manner that is safe for staff and detainees
New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association has argued that HALT will lead to increased violence in state prisons
The probe is looking into the overuse of solitary confinement and deaths of seven inmates over a two-year period
“It doesn’t eliminate the use of solitary confinement, but it puts significant restrictions on its use,” said Rep. Steven Stafstrom
The union’s president said the incident is largely a result of the HALT Act limiting segregated confinement
“Gross understaffing,” “uncontrolled gang activity,” and inmates having “unfettered access to contraband” were among the DOJ’s findings
The changes would put the Orange County jail system ahead of other facilities statewide, a disability rights attorney said
“Doing away with special housing for violent offenders just doesn’t work,” said State Assemblymen, and former CO, Billy Jones
The Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement Act nears implementation at the end of the month
The original bill would have prohibited the use of isolated confinement for longer than 15 days per each 60-day cycle
“Plaintiff may be a disruptive and volatile inmate, but his behavioral issues do not excuse or permit the violation of his due process rights,” the judge said
“There is no sugarcoating the current situation in our prison facilities,” said union President Michael Powers
DOCCS has since stopped the use of solitary confinement for positive drug tests
“I am not going to be in a city where dangerous people assault innocent people, go to jail and assault more people,” Eric Adams said
The move settles a 2017 lawsuit challenging the use of solitary confinement for death row inmates in the state
The unanimous vote gives the county 60 days to either remediate the violations or remove young people
The state’s law limiting solitary confinement, along with other administrative and legislative actions, “water down” the disciplinary system, union leaders say
The contracts will provide lessons for COs on using less lethal weapons to restrain inmates
The bill “puts the safety of incarcerated persons and correction employees at substantial risk,” said Gov. Lamont
“I think the rest of his life is going to be a totally barbaric existence,” said a law professor
The Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association calls the move “reckless”
Caron Butler knows from experience the impacts of isolation in prison
Nearly 70% of voters in Tuesday’s election supported the measure
“The predators that lurk in our prison system basically now have a free pass to prey on whoever they want,” said Union President Michael Powers
The county sheriffs oppose the bill, saying it doesn’t address their need to separate dangerous inmates from others
Prisons and jails will not be allowed to hold inmates in solitary confinement for more than 15 consecutive days
If signed, the measure will limit any form of isolation exceeding 15 days and ban solitary confinement for vulnerable populations altogether
Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association president Benny Boscio called the move “a recipe for disaster”
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