Location
Room A150
Advisor(s)
Andrea Stuiber; Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Document Type
Presentation
Type
EnACT
Start Date
1-5-2019 11:30 AM
End Date
1-5-2019 11:50 AM
Abstract
In the United States, around 80,000 prisoners are currently in solitary confinement. Solitary is seen as a “default” for prisons when it comes disciplinary actions taken against prisoners without consideration of its repercussions. These prisoners are locked in their cells alone anywhere from 22-24 hours a day. Prisoners in solitary for long periods of time have serious psychological repercussions and solitary often does not actually solve the targeted problems. Since there aren’t any policies controlling the maximum amount of solitary confinement time, many facilities do not abide by federal rules and instead make up their own. Solitary confinement can be considered torture because of the prolonged cruel and inhumane treatment prisoners have to go through. Many current policies make it very easy for a prisoner to go to solitary confinement, yet few make it easy to get out. Our policy focuses on fully removing solitary confinement as a form of punishment from all prisons. We start by limiting periods of isolation and having humane and adequate living conditions for prisoners. Also, correctional officers need alternative ways to manage dangerous and challenging inmates. In order to start creating change, it is important to educate the public on what is really going on in prisons and how our country is treating its people so that they are able to vote on local and state officials who will reform laws on solitary confinement. As a result of this, the focus of our activism project is spreading awareness about the cruelty of solitary confinement.
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Prison Within Prison
Room A150
In the United States, around 80,000 prisoners are currently in solitary confinement. Solitary is seen as a “default” for prisons when it comes disciplinary actions taken against prisoners without consideration of its repercussions. These prisoners are locked in their cells alone anywhere from 22-24 hours a day. Prisoners in solitary for long periods of time have serious psychological repercussions and solitary often does not actually solve the targeted problems. Since there aren’t any policies controlling the maximum amount of solitary confinement time, many facilities do not abide by federal rules and instead make up their own. Solitary confinement can be considered torture because of the prolonged cruel and inhumane treatment prisoners have to go through. Many current policies make it very easy for a prisoner to go to solitary confinement, yet few make it easy to get out. Our policy focuses on fully removing solitary confinement as a form of punishment from all prisons. We start by limiting periods of isolation and having humane and adequate living conditions for prisoners. Also, correctional officers need alternative ways to manage dangerous and challenging inmates. In order to start creating change, it is important to educate the public on what is really going on in prisons and how our country is treating its people so that they are able to vote on local and state officials who will reform laws on solitary confinement. As a result of this, the focus of our activism project is spreading awareness about the cruelty of solitary confinement.