New this week from Solitary Watch:

Felix Sitthivong, an incarcerated journalist and recipient of a Ridgeway Reporting Project grant from Solitary Watch, describes the suppression of cultural awareness groups in Washington state prisons, which mislabel these organizations as gangs. Sitthivong is the former president of the Asian Pacific Islander Cultural Awareness Group (APICAG), which has provided community and resources for many incarcerated individuals, along with a deep history of activism and organizing. The Department of Corrections has attempted to suppress the APICAG for years, resulting in Sitthivong spending multiple periods in solitary confinement. Despite these efforts, Sitthivong writes, he remains resolute in building community with his API brothers. Prism

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This week’s pick of news and commentary about solitary confinement:

A formerly incarcerated woman testified to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law about her experience giving birth in Georgia state prison. Jessica Umberger was forced to undergo a Cesarean section, and only had two hours to hold her child. She would not see her child again until about three years later. After giving birth, Umberger was moved to solitary confinement for three weeks, where her C-section wound became infected due to lack of medical care. Augusta Chronicle | The subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA), has launched an investigation into the abuses of pregnant women in prison, with over 200 human rights abuses being identified so far. Testimony is available to be watched at Sen. Ossoff’s website. | Jon Ossoff

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Conditions inside of Mississippi’s largest prison have come under scrutiny due to extreme heat and unsanitary conditions. Individuals held in Unit 29 at the Mississippi State Penitentiary, Parchman, allege experiencing temperatures within their cells easily climbing into triple digits, while mold can be found in the showers and ventilation. Federal investigation by the U.S. Justice Department in 2022 found the conditions in solitary confinement to be “egregious,” with the highest temperature logged in their report at 145.1 degrees. The Mississippi Department of Corrections says that there is no timetable for installing air conditioning in Unit 29. NBC

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The U.S. Department of Justice published a report that found patterns of abuse, discrimination, and violation of constitutional rights at five juvenile detention centers in Texas. Rampant sexual victimization, physical assault, and use of pepper spray against minors was documented across the facilities. Children were also housed in solitary confinement, typically for 22 to 23 hours, only being given 15 minutes outside of their cell. One child spent eight days in solitary. The DOJ has recommended the centers work to remedy the violations found, but gives the attorney general the option to bring a lawsuit if the aforementioned concerns are not satisfied in 49 days. The Independent

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Youth in juvenile prison in Wisconsin allege being held in prolonged isolation, despite the Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ stated progress in improving conditions. The DOC says the initial period of “administrative confinement” for youth may not exceed four hours, although the latest report finds that seven girls were held for more than four hours. R. Timothy Muth, a staff attorney at the ACLU of Wisconsin, said that they are dedicated to working with all parties to resolve these issues without court intervention. Wisconsin Watch

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Individuals incarcerated in Alabama have sued the state Department of Corrections, alleging that the prison system’s use of punishment against people that do not work violates the state’s updated state constitution, which states that “no form of slavery shall exist in this state; and there shall not be involuntary servitude.” Six individuals—five men and one woman, all Black—argue that they do want to work for an employer outside of prison, but do not want to be subject to punishment for declining to work, including but not limited to reasons of illness or unsafe working conditions. Currently, the DOC can place someone in solitary confinement or record disciplinary infractions for refusal to work, which may impact their potential to be paroled.  AL.com

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The New York State Inspector General has urged that the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) modernize its recordkeeping systems to enhance compliance with the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement (HALT) Act. Inspector General Lucy Lang released a report which found that DOCCS often failed to issue or produce records of the required written justification for the use of solitary confinement. Lang notes that DOCCS’s antiquated recordkeeping systems pose barriers to ensure accurate information and compliance with the HALT Act. NY Offices of the Inspector General 

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Prison writer Jared Bozydaj calls to attention the lack of air conditioning across New York state prisons. Currently incarcerated in Sing Sing, Bozydaj describes the oppressive and inescapable heat felt in his cell he has experienced during his first day in the facility, which was spent in solitary confinement. Bozydaj remained in solitary for 60 days with no ventilation when it was 90 degrees outside, causing him to lose 15 pounds from sweating and a limited diet. Bozydaj cites statistics documenting deaths due to heat exposure in prison, as levels of heat continue to break records each year. While 90% of U.S. homes have air conditioning, past court rulings do not require prisons to provide air conditioning. Prison Journalism Project

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Vice President Kamala Harris is facing calls by those impacted by criminalization and incarceration to address the “prosecutor and felon” narrative she is using on the campaign trail A letter from more than 160 leaders within the community have called on Harris to reject the language of “criminal” and “felon,” which generalizes and dehumanizes those that have been incarcerated or convicted, and fails to address the disproportionate harm done to the Black community in particular by the criminal justice system. They have also urged her to use her platform to address mass incarceration and criminal justice reform. The Hill | Two weeks ago, Solitary Watch covered Harris’s past positions on solitary confinement. Solitary Watch

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