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Mainers are joining a nationwide campaign against the use of solitary confinement. We the undersigned support a ban on solitary confinement, which is any form of cell confinement for more than 20 hours a day. We also support setting standards for isolating a person alone in a cell for more than 17 hours a day. Solitary confinement does not make communities safer. Solitary confinement or long isolation in a cell is cruel, very damaging to both people and communities, and expensive.

The problems of solitary confinement or forms of isolation in a cell for many hours are well established:

• It’s a form of torture, causing terrible suffering and physical harm

• It’s unjust because it happens more to black, brown, the poor, and other minorities

• It is unethical because it is used to control young people and people with mental illness

• It increases violence when those harmed by the practice are released into the general population without treatment

• Suicide and self injury occur more often for those held in isolation

• Holding people in isolation costs taxpayers more

• People who have been in solitary confinement or long isolation in a cell are more likely to return to jail or prison

LD 696 has these pieces in it:

• Bans solitary confinement

• Prohibits those under age 21, over age 55, who have disabilities, are pregnant, or have recently given birth fro being isolated in their cells for 17 or more hours a day

• Limits the number of days a person can be isolated in a cell

• Limits  the use of isolation in a cell to reasons of safety, not punishment

• Requires timely health check-ups and care

• Requires that those placed in isolation move rapidly to a unite which while provide rehabilitation treatment and services

• Provides for staff training

• Ensures access to legal assistance

• Makes certain that basic needs are met, such as clothing, food, or bedding

In conclusion, we support LD 696 because isolation in a cell for more than 20 hours a day should never be used in Maine. Additionally, any form of isolation in a cell for more than 17 hours a day should only be used short term with the goal of returning a healthier person to the general jail or prison population as quickly as possible. Isolation in a cell must not be used as a punishment.

We support LD 696 because it bans solitary confinement not and spells out important steps toward a system that is more human, healthy, and less costly.

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Thank you to all of those involved in the making of this campaign to end solitary confinement in Maine’s correctional system.