Demand Maine Stop State-Sponsored Torture

At any given time in the U.S., there are thousands of people who are locked in solitary confinement. Some are held in isolation to keep the prison safe. Others are kept alone simply because they're deemed unmanageable.

But whatever the reason, there's little doubt that the use of solitary confinement is overused and under-regulated. In fact, solitary confinement -- spending nearly every hour of every day locked in a small cell with limited contact and mind-numbing idleness -- amounts to a kind of torture, with prisoners subjected to the treatment often exhibiting precisely those symptoms of those who've been tortured. It's hard to see where solitary confinement leaves off and cruel and unusual punishment begins.

Solitary confinement and the use of disciplinary segregation are commonly viewed as necessary tools in keeping prisons safe. But there's no denying that they're dangerous tools, and as such should receive tight regulation. Currently, lawmakers in Maine are considering just that, a law to regulate solitary confinement conditions in the state prison system. If the law passes, it'd be a giant step forward -- one that could pave the way for other states to follow suit. Urge Maine legislators to pass the law now to protect the state's citizens against cruel and unusual punishment. Take action by signing the petition below.

The proposed Maine legislation, LD 1611, would change several aspects of solitary confinement, or what they refer to as "special management." Specifically, the bill would limit solitary terms to 45 days, except in extreme cases, and could be used only after proper review. Prisoners would also have access to a confinement hearing, regular mental health and security reviews. Lastly -- and this is perhaps the bill's most public selling point -- the bill would stop putting prisoners deemed to have a serious mental illness into solitary confinement.

Those who oppose the legislation would have voters believe that the law would allow dangerous prisoners to harm staff and those around them. After all, it's easier to believe that prisoners in solitary confinement deserve such treatment, simply because they committed a crime.

But that belief conveniently ignores the fact that the Eighth Amendment protects everyone from cruel and unusual punishment. And while someone behind bars may have committed a crime, his or her sentence is their legal punishment. Inflicting additional pain on them while they're on the inside isn't.

Then, of course, there's the fact that a disproportionate number of people kept in isolation are mentally ill. Several federal cases have suggested that isolating the mentally ill in confinement produces such "extreme suffering" that doing so violates the Eighth Amendment. LD 1611 would protect these people that often cannot protect themselves, and Maine lawmakers should be praised for taking on the initiative.

Yet the law's passage is anything but secure. In fact, as conflict over the legislation builds, its chances are looking increasingly threatened. But no one should ever be deprived of their basic human rights, simply because they have a criminal conviction. Take action with other activists who support Maine lawmakers in their efforts to end state-sponsored torture.

4/9/2010 UPDATE:  LD1611 is no longer the bill it once was. Maine legislators have passed a watered down version of the bill despite staunch opposition from activists like you. As passed, LD1611 will simply gather more information on the effects of solitary confinement and the due process procedures in place for those people in segregation units.  It will not make the original changes to the current procedures. Your voices were not unheard, however, as there is always the potential for future reform.

Photo Credit: DieselDemon