Confinement

Enduring Isolation: The Ongoing Struggles Against Solitary Confinement Despite HALT Legislation

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ALBANY, N.Y. — Despite legislative efforts to curtail its use, solitary confinement remains a troubling reality in New York’s correctional facilities. The HALT (Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement) Act was introduced to address this issue, aiming to significantly limit the conditions and duration of isolation for inmates. Nevertheless, reports indicate that the practice continues unabated, raising concerns about the treatment of individuals in the state’s prisons. The HALT Act, enacted in 2021, was a response to extensive advocacy from numerous organizations highlighting the psychological and physical harm inflicted by solitary confinement. This law restricts … Read more

Federal Lawsuit Accuses Kansas School Employee of Abusing Teen with Down Syndrome, Involving Confinement and Physical Harm

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ST. MARYS, Kan. – A federal lawsuit filed recently accuses an employee of a Kansas school district of abusing a 15-year-old student with Down syndrome by physically assaulting him, locking him in a cage, and subjecting him to other degrading treatment. The paraprofessional allegedly sent a photograph of the teenager locked in the athletic equipment cage to other staff members, mocking the student in a manner that the lawsuit describes as reminiscent of treating the teen like an animal. The lawsuit, initiated by the teenager’s parents, contends that these actions occurred within the Kaw Valley … Read more

NYC Mayor Overrides Recent Legislation to Maintain Solitary Confinement Practices in City Jails

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New York, NY — In a controversial move, New York City Mayor Eric Adams recently issued an emergency order to partially suspend a new law that prohibits solitary confinement in city jails. This law, which aimed to end the practice often criticized for its mental and psychological impact on inmates, faces a temporary setback as city officials deal with what they describe as a rise in violence within the correctional facilities. Mayor Adams, defending his decision, argued that the suspension is crucial to maintain control and ensure safety within the jails, particularly amidst the current … Read more

NYC Mayor Adams Overrides New Solitary Confinement Ban, Claims Safety Concerns, Sparking City Council Backlash

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New York, NY — In a significant move that has stirred local controversies, Mayor Adams has used an emergency order to override several key elements of a newly passed law slated to end solitary confinement in city jails. The order, issued on the eve of the law’s implementation, has paused some reforms that had been years in the making. Adams’ decision came under the guise of maintaining order and safety within the city’s correctional facilities. The emergency order specifically targets Local Law 42, which was set to limit the use of ‘de-escalation confinement’ to a … Read more