Isolation in prison is it a form of torture?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

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Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
Prisons have come under criticism for the frequent use of long term isolation. Some prisons use it for punishment or behavioral therapy. But some prisoners have been in total isolation for years. Some for well over 5, 10 years. Plus isolation does cause grave long term emotional problems. Maybe short term isolation may be used for transitory behavioral problems. But for years and years??? Do you believe long term isolation is a form of torture?
 

Long term, yes.
Keeping a threat away from the general population is one thing, but if it has to be for many years, there are ways to provide some safe conversation. No need to drive someone crazy who probably is somewhat crazy to begin with.
 
I believe it is cruel and unusual punishment.

If a person needs to have limited contact with other human beings then I believe that they should at least be offered/allowed to develop some purpose for living that might benefit others and provide a form of salvation for themselves.

If that is not possible then I believe that they should at the very least be offered the option of some form of humane assisted suicide.
 
I can have some sympathy for an otherwise honest and responsible person who commits a violent crime during a moment of "passion". However, I have little sympathy for someone with a history of violent criminal activity...IMO, we are wasting taxpayer dollars to keep such people fed and housed. Those who commit a 'one time" offense, should be offered a program of rehabilitation, but the career criminals deserved little in the way of compassion.
 
Yes, its a form of torture but if they are put out in general population they often run crime rings going on outside the prison. They should either be put to sleep, or at lest give them a TV so they can see people. For me, being in a 7X12 room would be torture too.
 
Keesha said:
Yes I believe it is a form of torture but I don’t have a solution
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I feel exactly the same. I've seen documentaries on this subject. Prisoners in long term isolation will self harm in order to escape their isolation, but if they are a threat to others' safety, what is the alternative? Ironically, isolation was introduced by the Quakers who believed it would help a prisoner to find God and rehabilitate. But it doesn't work that way.
 
hollydolly said:
yes I do..it is .. but if a prisoner is a threat to everyone around them, then like a vicious dog they either have to be placed in Isolation or put down..just my opinion!!
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strongly agree. Prisoners put in isolation, like in the Florence supermax, are the most dangerous of the dangerous -- bombers, terrorists, multiple murderers, drug lords, etc. Some of them are there because they have killed prison staff in other prisons.

I don't know what else we could do with them except put them in isolation. You sure can't dump them in gen pop at a prison and endanger other inmates and staff.
 
Butterfly said:
strongly agree. Prisoners put in isolation, like in the Florence supermax, are the most dangerous of the dangerous -- bombers, terrorists, multiple murderers, drug lords, etc. Some of them are there because they have killed prison staff in other prisons.

I don't know what else we could do with them except put them in isolation. You sure can't dump them in gen pop at a prison and endanger other inmates and staff.
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Exactly!! I couldn’t have said it better myself. I have been to every male prison in Pennsylvania, except one. The last prison that I was in was Greene that holds many death row inmates. The prisoners there are each isolated and receive one hour in the yard each day, privately, and one shower per week. No TV or radio, but they do get older newspapers and magazines.

Right now, we have over 150 prisoners on death rows in various prisons. Pennsylvania has not executed a prisoner sine 1999 and the present Governor has a moratorium on executions.

According to the few prisoners that I have spoken with, they are lonely, but not going goofy. They would rather have someone to speak with during the day, but being alone also isn’t all that bad.

In 2008, I escorted a prisoner to death row in Greene. If I hadn’t known that he was convicted of a murder, I would have thought him to be a nice, friendly, family man. I have often wondered what makes people do these types of crimes.
 
A little off topic but I just read yesterday that Bill Cosby said he likes prison.

He was just moved into the general population but in a one person cell and he also gets to eat his meals in his cell.

Says he’s lost weight (on purpose) and is exercising and feels in better shape than before. Also reads, etc.

Not bad....
 
I understand that he is in SCI, which is in Phoenix, just outside of Philly. It’s an old, outdated prison that should be closed. Everytime they renovate it, something else goes kapooey or blows up. A few years back, the boiler blew and we were called to help guard the prisoners in another area until the damage was cleared.

Bill probably does enjoy being there, but I am also sure that he would rather have his feedom. Who wouldn’t? The prison being close to his city of Philadelphia, he may have some friends inside with him.
 
911 said:
I understand that he is in SCI, which is in Phoenix, just outside of Philly. It’s an old, outdated prison that should be closed. Everytime they renovate it, something else goes kapooey or blows up. A few years back, the boiler blew and we were called to help guard the prisoners in another area until the damage was cleared.

Bill probably does enjoy being there, but I am also sure that he would rather have his feedom. Who wouldn’t? The prison being close to his city of Philadelphia, he may have some friends inside with him.
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Im sure he’d rather have his freedom but doesn’t sound bad .......
 

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