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NRCAT has initiated efforts to address the use of torture in U.S. prisons, with particular emphasis on the widespread use of long-term isolation. This report describes why ending torture in U.S. prisons is an important issue for the religious community. The report was presented to the NRCAT Board of Directors when it agreed on December 10, 2009 to include ending torture in U.S. prisons in NRCAT’s mission to end forever torture that is sponsored or enabled by the United States.
Maine Legislative Initiative
In January 2010, NRCAT joined an effort by the Maine Council of Churches, other religious organizations, the Maine Civil Liberties Union and other organizations in supporting a bill before the Maine legislature that would have, among other requirements, reduced the amount of time that most prisoners would spend in isolation (solitary confinement) and prohibited the placement of prisoners with mental illness into isolation. That bill did not pass, but the Legislature passed, and the governor signed, a bill that requires the Department of Corrections to review their use of isolation and report their findings back to the Legislature. Read a story about the bill, by Lance Tapley.
The Role of the Religious Community with the Maine Legislative Initiative
The Maine Council of Churches, the Catholic Diocese of Portland, NRCAT and other religious bodies in Maine played an important role in educating and advocating for this bill - read about their efforts.
Federal Legislation
NRCAT is currently working to pass the Prison Abuse Remedies Act (PARA). PARA would reform the prison system by making it easier for inmates to sue when they have been tortured, physically or sexually abused, or in other ways have had their rights violated.
Resource List
NRCAT has also begun to compile what we hope will become a fairly comprehensive list of resources on torture in U.S. prisons. We encourage you to view the list and use the feedback form to suggest additional resources we need to include in the list.
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Torture in U.S. Prisons