New this week from Solitary Watch: 

In celebration of Black History Month, Solitary Watch Editor-in-Chief Juan Moreno Haines reflects on his lived experiences as Black men incarcerated at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Haines’ reflection is complemented by the words of Jason “Knowledge Supreme Mind” Jackson, an incarcerated poet and spoken-word artist also incarcerated at San Quentin, whose poem Fallacies Slain highlights the contradictions between the public celebration of Black History Month and the reality of life for Black people incarcerated across America. The collaboration includes the first spoken-word video made by Solitary Watch, filmed on a video visit with Jackson. Solitary Watch 

In our latest Voices from Solitary essay, Lanae Tipton, an incarcerated writer in Texas now entering her second year in solitary confinement, confronts the devastating psychological toll of isolation and recounts the loss of her friend Brooklyn, the second suicide she witnessed in six months. Through her firsthand account, she exposes the systemic neglect that leaves incarcerated individuals without meaningful mental health support, ultimately pushing many toward despair. Tipton’s writing offers a rare and urgent glimpse into the realities of solitary confinement and the preventable tragedies it perpetuates. Solitary Watch

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

In nearly every prison across New York State, correctional officers have walked off their jobs in an unsanctioned “wildcat” strike that began February 17.

In response to the strike—which is illegal under a state law prohibiting public employees from striking—Gov. Kathy Hochul has deployed thousands of National Guard troops to replace the missing staff. Newsweek | New York prisons are now operating on extreme lockdowns, with incarcerated people confined to their cells and served cold food. Gothamist | Many have lost access to showers, recreation, programming, legal calls, and visitation, or are not receiving crucial medical care and prescriptions. NY Focus | Over the weekend, a man was found dead in his cell in Auburn Correctional Facility. 

“The tension is building up. I’ve never seen it like this,” said Isaiah Waters, who has been incarcerated for 18 years. “There’s no programming, no religious services, you can’t send mail or get visitors. We’re not used to being around each other for this many hours day in and day out.” Associated Press

Chief among the striking officers’ demands is the rollback of the Humane Alternatives to Long-Term (HALT) Solitary Confinement Act, a major solitary reform bill that caps solitary stints at 15 days and bans it entirely for vulnerable populations. New York COs have been circumventing and fighting the HALT reforms for years. NY Focus | In May 2021, their union, the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) unsuccessfully sued in federal court to overturn the law. Correctional officers’ unions have a long history of fighting solitary reforms. Solitary Watch 

Correctional officers claim their jobs have gotten more dangerous since the implementation of HALT, pointing to increases in reported assaults on staff and incarcerated people. NYDOCCS | However, this data is reported and maintained by prison staff, with the vast majority of assaults designated “no injury.” Meanwhile, data show that solitary confinement is not an effective tool for addressing prison violence. Solitary Watch

Although New York Congressional leaders dismiss the idea of repealing HALT, the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) announced on February 20 that it was suspending certain elements of the HALT law. WJFF Radio | In response, 100 criminal justice reform organizations sent a letter to state officials calling the suspension illegal. City and State NY | On Monday, state troopers began serving court orders to striking officers. Albany Times-Union

The timing of the current strike is suspicious, coming just weeks after Robert Brooks’ death at Marcy Correctional Facility was ruled a homicide. Brooks died in December, after he was handcuffed and brutally beaten, on video, by a group of correctional officers. So far this month, 10 involved officers have been charged with murder, manslaughter, and other charges. NY.gov 

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South Dakota lawmakers are debating House Bill 1259—a controversial bill that would restrict restroom access in state-run facilities based on “biological sex.” While primarily targeting schools and colleges, critics warn it could also force incarcerated transgender people into solitary confinement. The bill’s vague “reasonable accommodation” clause lacks clear guidelines, raising concerns about enforcement and costs. State Rep. Erin Healy (D) condemned the bill as “disgusting,” citing the severe mental health risks of solitary confinement. Despite opposition, HB 1259 is expected to pass the Senate. If signed into law, South Dakota would join at least 16 states with similar restrictions. Them

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A new report by The Guardian has uncovered serious allegations of human rights abuses at the migrant detention facility in Guantánamo Bay. Despite past accusations of excessive force at its other facilities, in 2024 the Biden administration awarded Akima a $163.4 million contract for the facility at Guantánamo Bay. Concerns grew after a Trump executive order expanded the facility’s capacity, with over 150 migrants already transferred. Legal groups, including the ACLU, are suing on the grounds that detainees are being held without communication or legal access. Reports of blacked-out transport and harsh confinement conditions have only added to the growing alarm. Latin Times

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Johnny Valenciano spent six years in solitary confinement. Further restriction during the COVID-19 pandemic, including 36-hour lockdowns with only 15 minutes to shower and call family, pushed him to his breaking point. But now, his life looks completely different. No longer surrounded by the cold, mechanical buzz of prison doors, Valenciano holds keys to his own space, cooks his own meals, and even cares for a dog named Theo.Though still incarcerated, he lives at a unique facility and participates in a rehabilitative program designed to assist those preparing for reentry. With plans to earn his GED and study business, Valenciano is proving that even after years in isolation, transformation is possible. Idaho Statesman

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In an article for Filter, incarcerated writer Jimmy Lakovos explores the story of Jack, an incarcerated individual in Georgia whose simple request for a single-man cell led to years of escalating punishment and forced mental health treatment. Jack, who had no diagnosed mental health issues upon entering prison, found himself at odds with a system that prioritizes control over well-being. After refusing to accept a cellmate, he was subjected to solitary confinement, violent restraint, and involuntary medication. His story highlights the broader failures of prison mental health care and the punitive nature of the correctional system. Ironically, a Georgia Senate committee has now recommended a shift toward single-occupancy cells, the very thing Jack was fighting for all along. Filter

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Incarcerated writer Terry Daniel McDonald reflects on the emotional journey of his time in prison, particularly the devastating impact of losing close friends and connections. He describes the pain of watching comrades get transferred to distant units, leaving behind an increasingly hollow community. McDonald shares how his own struggles with bipolar disorder and a failed suicide attempt only deepened the sense of isolation. Yet, through these hardships, he found solace in unexpected friendships and the small joys that emerged, like conversations with fellow inmates and the rare luxury of a flip phone that allowed him to reconnect with the outside world. Despite the darkness, McDonald’s story is a testament to resilience and the bonds that form even in the bleakest circumstances. Minutes Before Six

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Action Alerts for the week:

An online tool allows users to contact New York Governor Hochul and state lawmakers about abysmal conditions in state prisons during the current corrections officers’ strike: “BRING BACK VISITS & BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS TO OUR LOVED ONES NOW!” StandWithOurLovedOnes

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