For Immediate Release: February 20, 2012
Contact: Samantha Friedman: cell: (202) 215-9260 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

TODAY (MONDAY) IN LOS ANGELES:
Coalition of organizations against prolonged solitary confinement to unite in national day of witness in support of prisoners

Washington, D.C. – Members of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT) will join California Families to Abolish Solitary Confinement today, Monday, in front of the Los Angeles County Jail to protest long-term solitary confinement in American prisons, show support for prisoners, and advocate for legislation that would limit the use of solitary confinement.

The protest will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, February 20, 2012, in front of the Los Angeles County Jail, 441 Bauchet Street in Los Angeles, Calif.  Members of the public are invited to join NRCAT and CFASC in a show of solidarity and resistance to acts of torture in our prisons. 

NRCAT was outspoken against prolonged solitary confinement last summer when thousands of California prison inmates went on hunger strike in protest of solitary confinement and other mistreatment.  This witness will be the latest in a series of events sponsored by NRCAT to show opposition to prolonged solitary confinement.

"All major religions recognize the inherent dignity of all human beings and their capacity for redemption," said Rev. Richard Killmer, Executive Director of NRCAT.  "Long-term solitary confinement denigrates a person’s inherent dignity and hinders genuine rehabilitation.  As people of faith, we have been deeply concerned about prison conditions in California that led to the recent prisoner hunger strikes."

NRCAT is a national organization dedicated to ending human rights abuses in U.S. prisons, specifically focused on the widespread use and abuse of prolonged solitary confinement in U.S. prisons.

The event is open to the media, and coverage is welcome.

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