The problems of solitary confinement or forms of isolation in a cell for many hours are well established:
• It’s a form of torture, causing terrible suffering and physical harm
• It is unjust because it happens more to black, brown, the poor, LGBTQ and other minorities
• It is unethical because it is used to control young people and people with mental illness
• It increases violence when those harmed by the practice are released into the general population without
  treatment
• Suicide and self-injury occur more often for those held in isolation.

Mainers are joining a nationwide campaign
  against the use of solitary confinement.

We the undersigned support a ban on solitary confinement, which is any form of cell confinement for more than 20 hours a day.
We also support setting standards for isolating a person alone in a cell for more than 17 hours a day.
• Solitary confinement does not make communities safer.
• Solitary confinement or long isolation in a cell is cruel, very damaging to both people and communities, and
  expensive.
• Holding people in isolation costs taxpayers more
• People who have been in solitary confinement or long
  isolation in a cell are more likely to return to jail or prison Type to enter text
 
LD 696 has these pieces in it:
• Bans solitary confinement
• Prohibits those under age 21, over age 55, who have disabilities, are pregnant or have recently given birth from
  being isolated in their cells for 17 or more hours per day
• Limits the number of days a person can be isolated in a cell
• Limits the use of isolation in a cell to reasons of safety, not
  punishment
• Requires timely health check-ups and care
• Requires that those placed in isolation move rapidly to a unit which will provide rehabilitation treatment and
  services
• Provides for staff training
• Ensures access to legal assistance
• Makes certain that basic needs are met, such as clothing, food, or bedding


We support the amended version of LD 696 because it bans solitary confinement now and spells out important steps toward a system that is more humane, healthy, and less costly.

Please contact your state legislator to ask their support of the amended version of LD 696 - An Act to Ban Solitary Confinement in Maine's Correctional Facilities

You can find your state senator here  https://legislature.maine.gov/senate-home-page/find-your-state-senator
and your house representative  here   https://legislature.maine.gov/house/house/MemberProfiles/ListAlphaTown