UCC Passes Resolution Condemning Prolonged Solitary Confinement as Torture, Urges Congregations to Join Efforts to End its Use - National Religious Campaign Against Torture

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 4, 2023
CONTACT: Rev. T.C. Morrow, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and 202-547-1920

United Church of Christ (UCC) Denomination Passes Resolution Condemning Prolonged Solitary Confinement as Torture, Urges Congregations to Join Efforts to End its Use

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – On Tuesday, July 4, 2023, the Thirty-Fourth General Synod of the United Church of Christ (UCC) denomination passed, “A Resolution Condemning Prolonged Solitary Confinement as a Form of Torture.” The resolution calls on UCC congregations to join the growing movement to end the torture of solitary confinement in all prisons, jails, and detention centers.

The resolution states that “the Thirty-Fourth General Synod of the United Church of Christ recognizes prolonged solitary confinement, as defined by ‘The Nelson Mandela Rules,’ as a form of torture" and “recognizes the potential for abuse in all forms of solitary confinement for any duration of time and condemns its use.”

According to NRCAT staffer Rev. T.C. Morrow, “Being present in Indianapolis as our UCC colleagues have considered this resolution has been a valuable opportunity to hear their concerns first-hand. ‘Yes, I agree with that,’ I heard time and again as people looked at the ‘solitary confinement = torture’ stickers on our exhibit table.”

“Over the last five days, I have been glad to talk with dozens of people about state-level campaigns working to end prolonged solitary confinement and support humane alternatives. There is broad recognition amongst people of faith that solitary confinement violates the inherent God-given human dignity bestowed on all,” Morrow added.

Rev. Alexis Fuller-Wright, a proponent of the resolution, adds, "Our faith proclaims that none of us are beyond redemption; that we are all worthy of healing and wholeness – but no one is healed by dehumanization and torture. No one."

Johnny Perez, Director of NRCAT’s U.S. Prisons Program and himself a survivor of prolonged solitary confinement added, “As someone who has endured the torture of solitary confinement, I celebrate the bold stance adopted today by the United Church of Christ. It is significant that this major mainline Protestant Christian denomination has voted to condemn solitary for the torture that it is, and I urge lawmakers to take note.”

The full text of the resolution is available here: https://generalsynod.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Solitary-Confinement-Plenary-Final.pdf

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.

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