4 ms·

For all the empathetic discussion here, it’s important to keep some perspective - in many cases, these prisoners are in solitary because they have repeatedly at

by 737min 6y ago

For all the empathetic discussion here, it’s important to keep some perspective - in many cases, these prisoners are in solitary because they have repeatedly attacked other inmates or guards, maiming or killing them. Of course they are still human and deserving of human consideration, but it’s not like they end up in solitary for not writing enough unit tests or saying the wrong thing on Slack...

egypturnash 6y ago
So here are some snippets from the first page of results of typing "reasons to be in solitary" into DuckDuckGo. "There are a range of reasons someone can be placed in solitary confinement, including in response to violence or other serious security threats. However, the Vera Institute’s Segregation Reduction Project found 85 percent of prisoners were sent to disciplinary segregation for minor rule infractions in Illinois. Common violations included being out of place, failing to report to an assignment, and refusing an order." - https://www.prisonfellowship.org/resources/advocacy/conditions/solitary-confinement-2/ https://www.prisonfellowship.org/resources/advocacy/conditio... "Inmates have been sentenced to solitary for infractions such as refusing to cut their hair for religious reasons, or eating an apple incorrectly, which shows how broadly the offenses officially punishable with solitary confinement can be interpreted. The list of such offenses includes: possessing any locking devices, including keys; failure to make the bed in military fashion; adulterating food; demonstrating martial arts; tattooing; circumventing mail monitoring procedures; indecent exposure; misuse of authorized medications; refusing work; failing to perform work as instructed by a supervisor; insolence towards a staff member; unauthorized contact with the public; being untidy; circulating a petition; feigning illness; using abusive or offensive language. Other reported common causes of solitary confinement are: Possession of five dollars or more without authorization; participation in a strike; attempted suicide; failure to obey an order properly; “reckless eyeballing”; failure to return an ashtray; possession of an excess quantity of postage stamps." - https://qz.com/480015/these-are-some-of-the-reasons-us-prisoners-wind-up-in-solitary-confinement/ https://qz.com/480015/these-are-some-of-the-reasons-us-priso... "Contrary to popular belief, solitary confinement is not reserved only for the most dangerous prisoners. Often it is imposed to isolate detainees during the pre-trial stage of investigation, including as part of coercive interrogation. Solitary confinement for pre-trial detainees has, for example, been part of Scandinavian prison practice for many years. It is also used to lock away prisoners with – or who are perceived to have – mental illnesses." -https://www.penalreform.org/issues/prison-conditions/key-facts/solitary-confinement/ https://www.penalreform.org/issues/prison-conditions/key-fac...
- 737min 6y ago
  Some of that is obviously excessive, I wonder about duration though - a day or two of solitary vs 17 years of solitary.
sbergjohansen 6y ago
From the FAQ of the linked page: > In general, people are sent to solitary not by a judge or jury, but solely at the discretion of prison staff. In many prisons and jails, solitary confinement has become a control strategy of first resort, although it has never been proven to reduce prison violence. > Incarcerated men and women can be placed in complete isolation for months or years not only for violent acts, but for possessing contraband (including too many pencils or postage stamps), testing positive for drug use, ignoring orders, or using profanity. In some states, anyone who is believed to belong to a prison gang can be placed in solitary indefinitely. Other people end up in solitary because they have untreated mental illnesses, are children in need of “protection,” are LGBTQ, are people of color, are Muslim, have unpopular political beliefs, or report rape or abuse by prison officials.

by 737min 6y ago

egypturnash 6y ago

So here are some snippets from the first page of results of typing "reasons to be in solitary" into DuckDuckGo. "There are a range of reasons someone can be placed in solitary confinement, including in response to violence or other serious security threats. However, the Vera Institute’s Segregation Reduction Project found 85 percent of prisoners were sent to disciplinary segregation for minor rule infractions in Illinois. Common violations included being out of place, failing to report to an assignment, and refusing an order." - https://www.prisonfellowship.org/resources/advocacy/conditions/solitary-confinement-2/ https://www.prisonfellowship.org/resources/advocacy/conditio... "Inmates have been sentenced to solitary for infractions such as refusing to cut their hair for religious reasons, or eating an apple incorrectly, which shows how broadly the offenses officially punishable with solitary confinement can be interpreted. The list of such offenses includes: possessing any locking devices, including keys; failure to make the bed in military fashion; adulterating food; demonstrating martial arts; tattooing; circumventing mail monitoring procedures; indecent exposure; misuse of authorized medications; refusing work; failing to perform work as instructed by a supervisor; insolence towards a staff member; unauthorized contact with the public; being untidy; circulating a petition; feigning illness; using abusive or offensive language. Other reported common causes of solitary confinement are: Possession of five dollars or more without authorization; participation in a strike; attempted suicide; failure to obey an order properly; “reckless eyeballing”; failure to return an ashtray; possession of an excess quantity of postage stamps." - https://qz.com/480015/these-are-some-of-the-reasons-us-prisoners-wind-up-in-solitary-confinement/ https://qz.com/480015/these-are-some-of-the-reasons-us-priso... "Contrary to popular belief, solitary confinement is not reserved only for the most dangerous prisoners. Often it is imposed to isolate detainees during the pre-trial stage of investigation, including as part of coercive interrogation. Solitary confinement for pre-trial detainees has, for example, been part of Scandinavian prison practice for many years. It is also used to lock away prisoners with – or who are perceived to have – mental illnesses." -https://www.penalreform.org/issues/prison-conditions/key-facts/solitary-confinement/ https://www.penalreform.org/issues/prison-conditions/key-fac...

737min 6y ago
Some of that is obviously excessive, I wonder about duration though - a day or two of solitary vs 17 years of solitary.

sbergjohansen 6y ago

From the FAQ of the linked page: > In general, people are sent to solitary not by a judge or jury, but solely at the discretion of prison staff. In many prisons and jails, solitary confinement has become a control strategy of first resort, although it has never been proven to reduce prison violence. > Incarcerated men and women can be placed in complete isolation for months or years not only for violent acts, but for possessing contraband (including too many pencils or postage stamps), testing positive for drug use, ignoring orders, or using profanity. In some states, anyone who is believed to belong to a prison gang can be placed in solitary indefinitely. Other people end up in solitary because they have untreated mental illnesses, are children in need of “protection,” are LGBTQ, are people of color, are Muslim, have unpopular political beliefs, or report rape or abuse by prison officials.