For Immediate Release: July 14, 2015

Contact: Benny Witkovsky, West End Strategy Team - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; Cell: 202-765-4290; Office: 202-776-7700

National Religious Campaign Against Torture Applauds President Obama’s Comments on Solitary Confinement, Urges Further Action

WASHINGTON – Speaking today at the NAACP National Convention in Philadelphia, President Obama issued the strongest statement on solitary confinement to date from a U.S. President. The National Religious Campaign Against Torture has a long history of mobilizing the faith community to advocate for change in U.S. solitary confinement practices, including, most recently, urging the President to visit a solitary confinement unit on his forthcoming visit Thursday to the Federal Correctional Institution El Reno in Oklahoma. Following the President's historic order issued today for a national review of solitary confinement, NRCAT Executive Director Reverend Ron Stief released this statement:

"The critique President Obama articulated of solitary confinement today is truly remarkable; never before has the President spoken about the mistreatment of people in U.S. prisons with such clarity and compassion. The President echoed what people of faith across the country have advocated for years: that solitary confinement is an affront to our deeply held moral convictions. No child of God should be subject to such degrading and torturous treatment.

"Directing the Attorney General to review solitary confinement is exactly what is needed to begin the process of ending this immoral practice. To further solidify his legacy on this issue, later this week President Obama has an opportunity to bear witness to the suffering that at least 80,000 people endure each day in solitary confinement. The President will not see the harsh reality of the prison system without first witnessing the torture of solitary confinement."

"I thank the President for a ground-breaking speech, and now urge that he not leave El Reno prison without seeing a solitary confinement cell with his own eyes."

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) is a membership organization committed to ending U.S.-sponsored torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. Since its formation in January 2006, more than 300 religious organizations have joined NRCAT, including representatives from the Catholic, evangelical Christian, mainline Protestant, Unitarian Universalist, Quaker, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Baha'i, Buddhist, and Sikh communities. Members include national denominations and faith groups, regional organizations and local congregations.
NRCAT.org     @NRCATtweets     facebook.com/nrcat

###