Comments on: Solitary: Followup http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/ David Randall's blog of law, the Internet, and current events Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:14:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Lauren Dunlop http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/comment-page-1/#comment-6198 Lauren Dunlop Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:47:59 +0000 http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/#comment-6198 Reading more about this story on other blogs and websites, I found a few facts saying that the guards believe the prisoners were put in solitary confinement for their own safety. This is understandable to a certain extent, but the average time spent in solitary confinement does not exceed 5 years. 5 years, then being transfered to a normal prison would make more sense to me morally. You can't stick people in a cell by themselves for 36 years because you are scared of them. I also agree with Felix on the matter of retribution creating a bitter society. Reading more about this story on other blogs and websites, I found a few facts saying that the guards believe the prisoners were put in solitary confinement for their own safety. This is understandable to a certain extent, but the average time spent in solitary confinement does not exceed 5 years. 5 years, then being transfered to a normal prison would make more sense to me morally. You can’t stick people in a cell by themselves for 36 years because you are scared of them.
I also agree with Felix on the matter of retribution creating a bitter society.

]]> By: Felix Thea http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/comment-page-1/#comment-6189 Felix Thea Tue, 08 Apr 2008 05:47:18 +0000 http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/#comment-6189 "I’ve watched some special reports about prisons on MSNBC and it seems to me that sometimes the way prisons are set up can lead to more anger and hostility by the inmates, which in turn causes more harm than rehabilitation." I definitely agree with this statement. I believe that the US prison and judicial system has really been leaning towards retribution (an eye for an eye) rather than rehabilitation. This creates a bitter society and I do not believe it is an effective deterrent. “I’ve watched some special reports about prisons on MSNBC and it seems to me that sometimes the way prisons are set up can lead to more anger and hostility by the inmates, which in turn causes more harm than rehabilitation.”

I definitely agree with this statement. I believe that the US prison and judicial system has really been leaning towards retribution (an eye for an eye) rather than rehabilitation. This creates a bitter society and I do not believe it is an effective deterrent.

]]> By: Matthew Giunta http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/comment-page-1/#comment-6188 Matthew Giunta Mon, 07 Apr 2008 15:02:51 +0000 http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/#comment-6188 This story is pretty amazing. Referring to previous statements about their ability to interact with people; I think it is even more impressive if they are not insane. I mean after being in solitary for 36 years, that has to play with your mind. Humans shouldn't be locked up like that, in my opinion. I've watched some special reports about prisons on MSNBC and it seems to me that sometimes the way prisons are set up can lead to more anger and hostility by the inmates, which in turn causes more harm than rehabilitation. It would be even more upsetting if these two are found innocent. This story is pretty amazing. Referring to previous statements about their ability to interact with people; I think it is even more impressive if they are not insane. I mean after being in solitary for 36 years, that has to play with your mind. Humans shouldn’t be locked up like that, in my opinion. I’ve watched some special reports about prisons on MSNBC and it seems to me that sometimes the way prisons are set up can lead to more anger and hostility by the inmates, which in turn causes more harm than rehabilitation. It would be even more upsetting if these two are found innocent.

]]> By: Alizay Saeed http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/comment-page-1/#comment-6185 Alizay Saeed Mon, 07 Apr 2008 03:24:29 +0000 http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/#comment-6185 36 years is a long time! As it is, in prison , one is separated from the world. Solitary confinement means separating one from the community existing within the prison bars. Indeed, there have to be rules to follow to maintain order, but 36 years in solitude? Are there no laws existing about this sort of cruelty? 36 years is a long time! As it is, in prison , one is separated from the world. Solitary confinement means separating one from the community existing within the prison bars. Indeed, there have to be rules to follow to maintain order, but 36 years in solitude? Are there no laws existing about this sort of cruelty?

]]> By: Felix Thea http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/comment-page-1/#comment-6183 Felix Thea Sun, 06 Apr 2008 22:26:07 +0000 http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/#comment-6183 I just watch the news story and they are not even sure that the two committed the murder! What is scary is that there could be others being locked in solitary confinement without certainty that they deserve it and its never brought to light and the prisoners cannot do anything to bring their case into the public eye because they are behind bars! I think prisoners should be allowed to be more vocal or prisons should allow more advocates to come in to ensure that there is justice. William Blackstone stated that "the law holds that it is better that ten guilty persons escape, than that one innocent suffer." This was the reason for instituting "beyond a reasonable doubt" and this method should not cease after we throw the prisoner into the cell and throw away the key. I just watch the news story and they are not even sure that the two committed the murder! What is scary is that there could be others being locked in solitary confinement without certainty that they deserve it and its never brought to light and the prisoners cannot do anything to bring their case into the public eye because they are behind bars! I think prisoners should be allowed to be more vocal or prisons should allow more advocates to come in to ensure that there is justice. William Blackstone stated that “the law holds that it is better that ten guilty persons escape, than that one innocent suffer.” This was the reason for instituting “beyond a reasonable doubt” and this method should not cease after we throw the prisoner into the cell and throw away the key.

]]> By: Anjoli Jagoda http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/comment-page-1/#comment-6181 Anjoli Jagoda Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:38:00 +0000 http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/#comment-6181 Wow. When I visited Alcatraz, a prison that's now been turned into a tourist site, I remember walking inside one of the solitary confinement cells. It was scary in there, and also dehumanizing. Whenever I hear about cruelty in prisons, it's hard for me to reconcile with the issues of how many prisoners are actually mentally ill, and how many prisoners have been wrongly convicted. I agree with the other comments about the lasting effects of 36 years in solitary confinement, and wonder how many cases like this go unexposed. Wow. When I visited Alcatraz, a prison that’s now been turned into a tourist site, I remember walking inside one of the solitary confinement cells. It was scary in there, and also dehumanizing.
Whenever I hear about cruelty in prisons, it’s hard for me to reconcile with the issues of how many prisoners are actually mentally ill, and how many prisoners have been wrongly convicted.
I agree with the other comments about the lasting effects of 36 years in solitary confinement, and wonder how many cases like this go unexposed.

]]> By: Lindsey Frick http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/comment-page-1/#comment-6180 Lindsey Frick Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:44:46 +0000 http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/#comment-6180 First, I am glad that NBC is shedding some light onto this story. Second, this press release really made me think about the effectiveness of solitary confinement being used as a punishment. From my experience of sitting in the corner as an unruly 7 year old, I know that I certainly did not learn my lesson by having to sit by myself with the only person to talk to being my internal dialogue. Instead, my mind was consumed with angry thoughts towards whoever punished me to time alone. Now this is not to say that my experience in timeout is in any way similar to what these two men experienced, but it makes me wonder whether these men have actually learned their lessons, or if the 36 years in solitary confinement have been 36 years of harboring hatred—especially if they truly are innocent. First, I am glad that NBC is shedding some light onto this story. Second, this press release really made me think about the effectiveness of solitary confinement being used as a punishment. From my experience of sitting in the corner as an unruly 7 year old, I know that I certainly did not learn my lesson by having to sit by myself with the only person to talk to being my internal dialogue. Instead, my mind was consumed with angry thoughts towards whoever punished me to time alone. Now this is not to say that my experience in timeout is in any way similar to what these two men experienced, but it makes me wonder whether these men have actually learned their lessons, or if the 36 years in solitary confinement have been 36 years of harboring hatred—especially if they truly are innocent.

]]> By: Jimson http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/comment-page-1/#comment-6178 Jimson Thu, 03 Apr 2008 22:10:15 +0000 http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/#comment-6178 Undoubtedly, the impact of a 36 year solitary confinement will remain with the prisoners for the rest of their lives. Even if they are allowed outside now to interact "in a group setting" it will certainly take a great deal of time before they can function in a social environment. Still one of the most important issues that must be resolved is the proclaimed innocence of the prisoners. I was under the impression that it is better to let ten guilty men go free rather than to permit one innocent man to suffer. Undoubtedly, the impact of a 36 year solitary confinement will remain with the prisoners for the rest of their lives. Even if they are allowed outside now to interact “in a group setting” it will certainly take a great deal of time before they can function in a social environment. Still one of the most important issues that must be resolved is the proclaimed innocence of the prisoners. I was under the impression that it is better to let ten guilty men go free rather than to permit one innocent man to suffer.

]]> By: Geetika http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/comment-page-1/#comment-6177 Geetika Thu, 03 Apr 2008 04:06:55 +0000 http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/#comment-6177 I've seen the movie. It's very interesting and sheds light on some very real and vital issues related to the life of prisoners. I’ve seen the movie. It’s very interesting and sheds light on some very real and vital issues related to the life of prisoners.

]]> By: Howe Lin http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/comment-page-1/#comment-6176 Howe Lin Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:44:05 +0000 http://trudalane.net/2008/03/28/solitary-followup/#comment-6176 I just recently saw Shawshank Redemption and it makes me even more sympathetic for victims of solitary confinement. And I highly recommend the movie. I just recently saw Shawshank Redemption and it makes me even more sympathetic for victims of solitary confinement. And I highly recommend the movie.

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