|
|
| Idaho state prisons drop all use of 'dry cells' to isolate inmates |
| By spokesman.com- Betsy Z. Russell |
| Published: 09/02/2015 |
|
The Idaho Department of Correction announced today that it has discontinued all use of so-called “dry cells” for inmate isolation, which lack all furnishings including a mattress, sink or toilet and have only a flushable floor drain for human waste. Use of the cells has drawn attention in a long-running lawsuit over prison conditions; IDOC said it used the cells to isolate inmates who were at risk of hurting themselves or others. Critics of the practice say it can exacerbate inmates’ mental health problems and even cause long-term psychological damage to inmates who previously didn’t suffer from mental health issues. “Research is showing us that in many cases segregation doesn’t work and is causing more harm than good,” said state prisons Director Kevin Kempf. “Knowing that 97 percent of all inmates will one day walk out of prisons and into our neighborhoods tells me we shouldn’t be adding to their risk of committing more crimes but rather doing everything we can to reduce this risk.” “To some degree there will always be a need to temporarily isolate some inmates so they don’t hurt themselves or others, but we must not go overboard,” Kempf said. “We need to make sure we’re isolating the right inmate for the right period of time and under the right conditions.” Read More. |
MARKETPLACE search vendors | advanced search
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
|
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think