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National Interfaith Anti-torture Group Affirms ICE Mandate Limiting Solitary Confinement for Immigration Detainees as Valuable Step

WASHINGTON, DC – This week the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued new directives that will update current detainee policy and procedures regarding solitary confinement. The new directives set limits on the time that civil immigration detainees can be held in solitary confinement. The new policy requires increased consideration for disciplinary confinement and review of those with vulnerabilities, such as mental illness.

“This is a step in the right direction,” said Rev. Richard L. Killmer, executive director of the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. “The documented physical and psychological effects of solitary confinement are devastating, causing increased rates of mental illness, self harm and even suicide. Such denial of all meaningful human contact violates basic human rights, and has no place in civil detention. As people of faith, we support alternatives to detention and further protections which prevent detainees from being subjected to the indignity of isolation.”

The National Religious Campaign Against Torture urges the Department of Homeland Security to continue to review ICE’s practices and procedures and to monitor the new policy to guarantee it is implemented fully.

“While we welcome ICE’s decision to limit solitary confinement, we urge officials to work toward the swift elimination of this practice,” said Killmer. “People of faith are committed to ensuring that the abusive use of solitary confinement in all prisons, jails and detention centers if brought to an end.”

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 320 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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