New this week from Solitary Watch: 

Solitary Watch is pleased to announce that we have partnered with the Louisiana Stop Solitary Coalition to extend Photo Requests from Solitary (PRFS) to Louisiana. PRFS is a project that invites individuals in solitary confinement to request a photo of something real or imagined—something they miss, love, dream about, or simply want to see. Then, volunteers on the outside create that  image and send it to them. It’s a small gesture that has a huge impact. If you know someone who is currently incarcerated in solitary confinement in Louisiana and may be interested in participating, please send their full legal name, DOC ID number, and facility location to svogel@solitarywatch.org. 

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

Immigrants detained at Leavenworth federal prison in Kansas have reported to their lawyers a wide array of dangerous and unsanitary conditions, including overcrowding, extended lockdowns, delayed and costly medical treatment, restricted contact with their families, and no access to religious services. Some immigrants were even placed in solitary confinement with no sunlight after attempting suicide during the multi-day lockdowns at the facility. Kansas Reflector | At Bluebonnet Detention Center in Texas, 31 men used their bodies to spell out “SOS” for journalists flying overhead to call attention to the abusive conditions and treatment at the facility. Among the reports from the facility was an instance where one man was placed in solitary confinement immediately after receiving medical treatment. Slate | Vulnerable populations, like youth and LGBTQ+ people, are at an increased risk of harm associated with time spent in solitary confinement and ICE custody. While LGBTQ+ migrants, especially those who are transgender, make up a small portion of those detained, approximately half have reported experiencing solitary confinement. WOLA

A Massachusetts high school student was recently detained by ICE after being pulled over while driving his volleyball teammates to practice. According to his attorneys, the 11th grader was placed in solitary confinement by guards who thought “he’d be more comfortable” there than in a holding cell with 25 to 30 other detainees and just one toilet. MassLive | The high schooler told lawyers that, in solitary, he was forced to sleep on the concrete floor with no bedding, mocked by guards, prevented from showering, and only allowed to brush his teeth twice in a five-day period. USA Today 

Although Nebraska legislators have passed several laws in the last decade aimed at limiting solitary confinement for youth, public data shows that the use of solitary continues to increase and routinely violates state law. Children as young as 11 years old can be detained in places like the Douglas County Youth Center, where they are often subjected to solitary confinement. According to one 16 year old, “a lot of kids would miss out on their visit [with family], because they know they’re going to get strip-searched”—something that doesn’t happen for youth in general population. Nebraska Public Media 

June 6th marked the ten-year anniversary of the death of Kalief Browder, who died by suicide after being incarcerated for three years on Rikers Island and spending much of that time in solitary confinement. Director Sisa Bueno and Kalief’s brother Akeem Browder say that their new film “aims to remember Kalief and his mother Venida and explores the impact of the trauma they faced and how his family responded.” The film, For Venida, For Kalief, is premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival. Democracy Now 

In a recent personal essay, incarcerated writer Marcus Isreal recounts his experience in solitary confinement and Limited Privilege Housing (LPH) in Ohio. His cell has two doors, essentially creating a double layer of isolation. He describes a heavy feeling of hate that permeates the hole, amplifying the misery of those around him. “This experience is pushing me to make better choices,” says Isreal, “I see now that these places desperately need change and leadership.” Southeast Prison Advocate

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