THE TRUTH
THE INHUMANE CONDITIONS WITHIN MANY OF OUR PRISONS AND HOW WE CAN FIGHT BESIDE THEM
LIVING SPACES. SHOWERS. OTHER
. Most standard cells 6x9 Ish feet
Rifle with black mold, leaks, pour circulation,
and dangerous temperature extremes.
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Beds are either concrete or metal with only a one- inch pad, thin blanket, and a pillow.
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When cells open up, officers generally only clean if blood is present. Other such as feces and urine are left for inmates themselves to scrub off.
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Unsafe water: lime-laden tap water.
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Inadequate hygiene supplies
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Poor air quality from K2 smoke, macing, poor plumbing... especially in segregation.
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Extreme temperatures​
​ . Showers - also much of the time plagued with mold, urine, feces, semen... ​
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SEGREGATION 'The Hole'
EXTREME ISOLATION
​ Prisoners are locked in a cell 23–24 hours a day,
often the size of a bathroom (6x9 feet or smaller).
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While meant to be for safety/security, ad seg is often used as a retaliation tool by staff.
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Very common prisoners report being placed in segregation for minor infractions, false violations, or refusing to obey abusive staff orders.
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Contact with others is minimal to nonexistent.
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Lights may stay on around the clock, or cells may be kept in near-darkness.
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Sensory Deprivation:
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much of the time No access to books, tablets, radio, or human interaction for weeks, months- even years.
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Families lose vital contact with their loved ones. Visitation, phone calls, and correspondence are frequently limited or denied altogether further compounding trauma.
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Medical & Mental Health Neglect Inmates in segregation often experience delays or outright denial of medication, medical care, and mental health treatment.
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PSYCOLOGICAL & PHYSICAL HARM
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. Anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, depression, and suicidal thoughts are common outcomes.
. Even brief stays can permanently rewire the brain’s stress and social-response systems.
. Physical effects include muscle atrophy (from lack of - movement), insomnia, and worsening of chronic illnesses.​​
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​​​​ INTERNATIONAL VIEW
The United Nations Mandela Rules classify
solitary confinement over 15 days as torture.
MEDICAL ~
MENTAL HEALTH
ABUSE/NEGLECT RAMPANT
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The practice of confining persons with misdemeanor sentences in Level V facilities alongside violent felons constitutes a grossly disproportionate measure
that exposes them to undue harm and violates
the Eighth Amendment.
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No true rehabilitation for many: absence of structured programming or meaningful mental health support.
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Drug corruption: Narcotics are being distributed and consumed by both residents and staff. Drugs enter through staff, visits, mail...and used as leverage for control amongst correctional staff. ​
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Toxic food practices: meals often inedible, frequently contaminated saliva, urine, other.
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Deprivation of food: meals are often withheld, delayed, or served in near-inedible condition. Food rations are child-sized, far too little for adults. The last meal is served at 4:00 p.m., leaving inmates hungry for the remainder of the day and night.
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Excessive chemical force: inmates are regularly maced in poorly ventilated spaces, causing suffering and health problems.
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Suicide Prevention for many entails: “Red Watch,” strips individuals naked, straps them to bed within an otherwise empty freezing room- further traumatizing the vulnerable.
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SEGREGATION "The Hole" (Listed Above)​
Of course there ARE correctional staff that do care. for true change-
it is essential that we show our appreciation for what they do.
KEEP lifting them so they stay
in the light and keep advocating
for those we love.
CORRUPTION AND ABUSE
CORRECTIONAL STAFF
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STAFF BRUTALITY: Correctional officers routinely assault inmates and issue false disciplinary write-ups.
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Unqualified hiring: correctional staff often hired as . . young as 18, no EXPERIENCE NECESSARY, no proper training, high school diploma, no mental health screening, and no drug testing.
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Minimal training: little to no preparation for the demands of such high-risk environments.
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EXPOSING:
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Drugs: distributed and consumed by both residents and staff. Entering facility through staff, inmates, visits, mail...and used as leverage for control amongst correctional staff. nepotism, and the killing of inmates under the staff’s hand that go unreported.
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Staff fueled violence: staff often pressure or manipulate inmates into fighting one another.
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Weaponized write-ups: staff routinely issue false violations- especially 7.7s and 15.4s (sexual misconduct reports) to punish, provoke, or control inmates.
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Corrupt drug testing: false positives are frequent, used to justify punishment and extend sentences.
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Sexual violence: sexual assaults and rape occur regularly—between residents and at the hands of staff.
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