Representative Brostoff Stands with Inmates Protesting for Humane Treatment
"There is endless evidence for the harmful psychological effects that solitary confinement has on an individual."
MILWAUKEE— Representative Jonathan Brostoff (D- Milwaukee) supports the inmates protesting inhumane living conditions in administrative confinement and segregation.
“It saddens me to report that today in Waupun numerous inmates will start a Humanitarian Food Refusal Campaign to demand more humane treatment. They will not eat for days to come in hopes of raising awareness to their unfair and torturous treatment while in jail. Many of these inmates have been in solitary confinement for extended periods of time, some lasting years.
Solitary confinement requires that the inmate is alone in a cell that is six feet by 12 feet for 23-24 hours per day. They may be provided an opportunity for one hour of recreational time, alone, in a cage, a few times per week. Food is passed through a locked slot in the door.
Currently, there are more than 80,000 men, women, and children in solitary confinement across the United States. There is endless evidence for the harmful psychological effects that solitary confinement has on an individual.
These effects are magnified in those most vulnerable, such as people with mental health issues. It exacerbates the illness and hurts the individual instead of offering them the medical attention they need. For this reason, I have drafted legislation that would ban its use in this population and I plan to create more legislation to take on this practice next Session. Today, and every day, I stand in solidarity with these inmates.
I hope that someday soon, there will be no use of solitary confinement and all inmates will receive the constructive and rehabilitative help they need.”
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.
Mentioned in This Press Release
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Good work, Representative Brostoff, on crafting legislation vs solitary confinement. Prisoners need rehab = or greater than punishment.
Good work, too, during the interview with Mike Gousha on “Up Front” yesterday. He gave you 10 seconds to respond to a question about a potential running mate for Hillary. You plugged Bernie Sanders and Liz Warren in that time frame; then you concluded with a + tag line: “We’re glad we don’t have to deal with a Trump.” AMEN!