In the United States, the fourth Thursday in November is when we take a moment to reflect on the things we’re thankful for. There’s power, both profound and humbling, in putting words to the things that get us through the tough times.

But not everybody’s tough times are the same, and not all gratitude carries the same weight.

Diana Montes-Walker was a mother who felt utterly useless with her son inside prison—unable to advocate for his special needs. As he was wasting away, she got word he was getting double portions of cornbread, which she recalled feeling very “thankful” for.

But that relief—knowing that someone was looking out for him when she couldn’t—only lasted a month. The order for extra cornbread was a one-time deal. ^[1]

Solitary creates a trail of pain that goes far beyond the cell.
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Thomas Silverstein, held in the notorious federal supermax prison called ADX, was so “grateful” for the legal assistance he was receiving from the University of Denver’s student law clinic that he would crochets hats, mittens, scarves and blankets for the students and their relatives. And when he had art supplies, he would use pastels and paint to make them artwork in his small cell.

That was in 2013—six years before he died as America’s “the most isolated inmate” after 36 years in solitary confinement. ^[2]

When all you have is darkness, even a sliver of light can make all the difference in the world.
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Being in solitary confinement isn’t just about missing Thanksgiving dinner. And although it often breaks the people who endure it, it’s about so much more than that as well. Because solitary also breaks their loved ones and their communities, and further undermines our society’s waning commitment to basic humanity.

When we sit down this Thanksgiving, as we share the things we’re grateful for, perhaps we can take a moment to recognize that far too many people—those alone and sometimes forgotten in solitary confinement, and those outside to whom they were once connected—have a very different relationship with the idea of being thankful.

Supporting Solitary Watch and the work we do may not make up for the damage already done, but it is a way toward ending future suffering, and reminding those held in darkness that they are not forgotten.

“I just want to thank you for being out there. I was alone unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”
Your support lets us continue our misson of reporting and outreach, a difference too important to ignore.

Please consider making a donation today. Thanks to our acceptance into the NewsMatch program, all donations up to $1,000 will be doubled, making yours among the hardest working gifts one can give at this time of year. And thanks to the NewsMatch commitment, if making a more modest-but-monthly donation is a better choice for you, all twelve months will still be doubled—something we are most thankful for.

Jean Casella, Director

Juan Moreno Haines, Editor-in-Chief

This is the only time of year for matched donations. Any amount is appreciated—and doubled if donated by December 31!

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[1] Voices from Solitary: A Mother’s Story | by Jean Casella and James Ridgeway | May 14, 2011; Comment from Diana Montes-Walker on September 3, 2013 at 6:50 pm.

[2] Federal Appeals Court Considers Tommy Silverstein’s 30 Years in Extreme Solitary Confinement | by Jean Casella | September 25, 2013.