Cuomo signs bill banning long-term solitary confinement

[TexasTowelie]

ALBANY — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed the HALT Solitary Confinement Act into law late Wednesday night, which places new restrictions on the practice in the state, including a ban on holding people in solitary for more than 15 days.

It was common for incarcerated people to be placed in solitary conditions for months, years or even decades — a practice that the United Nations defines as torture for its extreme harmful psychological effects. Data also shows that the enforcement of solitary confinement has been significantly biased by race, with Blacks representing 58 percent of those in isolation. More than 80 percent are Black or Latino inmates.

The bill was passed by the Legislature last week, and Cuomo signed it shortly before his deadline to do so on Wednesday night.

"Generations of incarcerated men and women have been subjected to inhumane punishment in segregated confinement with little to no human interaction for extended periods of time and many experience emotional and physical trauma that can last for years," Cuomo said. "By signing the HALT Solitary Confinement Act into law we are reforming New York's criminal justice system by helping ensure the effective implementation of proven, humane corrections policies."

Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Governor-signs-HALT-Solitary-Confinement-Act-into-16069265.php

[idziak4ever1234]

1. Solitary Confinement is a Human Rights Violation.

[Haggard Celine]

2. As it should be.

It's torture, and I'm glad Gov. Cuomo signed that bill. That'll give some prisoners some relief, anyway.

[Budi]

3. Thank You Govenor Cuomo. 👍 again..

[I_UndergroundPanther]

4. I spent 18 months

In a quiet room at a psych hospital. In the 80s there were no rules making limits on how long one could be kept in isolation.

I can say 100% that isolation is torture.

To this day I get overwhelmed by stimuli,didn't happen before the 18 months .

I spend a lot of time alone now.

It's really hard to manage symptoms of ptsd outside. I think after spending so much time isolated it changed me.

I cannot stand white walls so I cover the walls with art. It looks better and feels safer this way.