YOU can do something about torture in our prisons!

Getting thrown into “the hole” messes up lives...inside and outside. No one knows that better than Lois DeMott Pullano, whose son was mistreated by the prison system as a youth. 

When Lois goes out on a speaking engagement, she takes along a most amazing exhibit for her audience to see and experience. She has a portable prison cell, and you’ll start feeling a hint of claustrophobia the moment you step into that tiny, parking-space sized room. 

Lois is the Executive Director of Citizens for Prison Reform, a Lansing-based prison advocacy agency that got its start very much like that of Humanity for Prisoners. Actual experiences led her into this business, and led me into this business. 

This week her agency issued a blistering report about solitary confinement. I’m going to encourage you to read it and do something about it. “Tsk, tsk, tsk” isn’t enough...this must go to your State Representative and State Senator along with your strong message of support. 

Why are prisoners placed in solitary confinement? For many reasons, but mostly for punishment. Mentally ill and suicidal inmates are often placed in segregation, as well. 

The numbers are disputed by the Michigan Department of Corrections. Leave it to them to argue about the numbers instead of the problem. CPR says that more than 3,200 Michigan prisoners are affected, and we support those numbers. The state says it’s more like 900. 

Now listen to this: 1/3 of them have been in for 1-2 years! Nearly half have been in for more than 2 years! 10% have been in isolation for 5-20 years! 

No wonder the state is sputtering. Many experts will testify that spending 23 hours a day alone in a cell for any longer than 15 days is considered torture. That kind of isolation does terrible things to the mind! 

And, the report stresses that this problem affects more than just the prisoner. Family members suffer as well. They’re cut off from visits and normal communications. 

Now here are the basics. 

The CPR report, titled Solitary: The Family Experience, can be found here: 

 http://bit.ly/CPRSolitaryReport

CPR begs the MDOC to use isolation "only if absolutely necessary" to protect the safety of prisoners and staff and to limit its use to no more than 15 days. It states that the use of solitary confinement should end for vulnerable prisoners, including those with medical or mental health issues, those 21 or younger or over the age of 55, pregnant women and new mothers, and those who are LGBTQ. 

While disputing the numbers, the MDOC agrees that it’s a problem and says their strategic plan calls for reduction in years to come. That’s not good enough. 

Lois and her little agency can’t be the only ones supporting these isolated people living in “the hole.” They need us. Now. 

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Gal 6:2



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