Solitary

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

Blur’s Dave Rowntree Calls for Compassionate Reform of UK Assisted Dying Laws after Ex-Wife’s Solitary Death at Dignitas

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London – Dave Rowntree, the drummer for the iconic British band Blur, has voiced a fierce critique of the UK’s laws on assisted dying, labeling them as showing “absolutely no empathy for the sufferer.” His stinging rebuke comes after witnessing the painful choices faced by his terminally ill ex-wife, Paola Marra, who elected to end her life at Dignitas in Switzerland due to terminal bowel cancer. During the 1990s, Rowntree, now 60, married Marra after meeting her amidst the bustling music scene in Camden. The two parted ways but remained connected over the years. Rowntree … 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