End Solitary Confinement in Illinois Prisons Now!!

Solitary confinement has been found to be a form of torture by the United Nations, in a resolution signed by the Chicago City Council in 2012, and by humanitarians everywhere. We are urging the Illinois State Legislature to pass legislation banning solitary confinement in Illinois. Solitary confinement means a prisoner is isolated in his cell at least 23 hours a day with no human contact. Access to commissary, visits, classes and outdoor exercise is very limited. Solitary confinement leads to the physical and mental deterioration of the prisoner. Better, cheaper alternatives are mental health, educational classes and group counselling. Prison systems, such as in Mississippi, which have severely curtailed solitary confinement report less prison violence and tremendous cost savings.