The National Religious Campaign Against Torture produced a film in 2022 entitled Torture in Our Name. In this compelling 35-minute documentary for faith audiences, filmmaker Matthew Gossage showcases the tenacity and resilience of people who have faced the torture of solitary confinement first-hand and are working to end it once and for all. The film traces the stories of campaigns in Louisiana, New Jersey, and New York in which survivors of solitary and their allies have mounted successful legislative campaigns in their respective states, with New Jersey and New York being the first two states in the nation to legislate bans on long-term isolated confinement. Through poignant interviews with survivors whose stories have caused lawmakers to take notice, as well as faith community leaders who share their own journeys of finding their voice in the movement, this film will leave you and your religious community inspired to get engaged. Let your light shine and find your place in the movement. 

Tune in and prepare for your call to action. It’s time to say “no more” to the torture of solitary confinement, Torture in Our Name.

Watch the Film

Host a Screening & Discussion of the Film

Torture in Our Name is documentary film designed to be shown and discussed in faith communities and public forums hosted by religious and community organizations. NRCAT has produced a discussion guide available for download here for hosting an approximately one hour session that is appropriate for a variety of settings (35 minutes for the film and 30 minutes for discussion and education). If your schedule requires a shorter gathering, you may find that abbreviating the discussion or breaking it into multiple, shorter sessions is useful. We encourage you to adapt it to your context and the religious, spiritual, or cultural tradition of your own community.

The NRCAT staff are available to support you in your planning and preparation. To host a screening and explore how your faith community can deepen its involvement in state and national efforts to end solitary, contact Laura Markle Downton, NRCAT’s Director of Faith and Community Engagement at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Excerpts from the 3 State Campaigns

New Jersey: In this 20-minute excerpt from Torture in Our Name, advocates from New Jersey Prison Justice Watch tell the story of their history-making campaign which led the Garden State to become the first state in the nation to ban prolonged isolation legislatively. Survivors of solitary confinement were the key to legislators heeding the call to end torture. Faith allies Rev. Dr. Charles Boyer of Salvation and Social Justice and Rabbi Elliott Tepperman of Bnai Keshet Synagogue share about the role of interfaith allies in the effort. Watch the New Jersey excerpt.

New York: In this 12-minute excerpt from Torture in Our Name, advocates from the New York Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement (NY-CAIC) share the story of their relentless pursuit of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, which in 2021 became New York State law. The HALT Act bans prolonged isolation legislatively. Hear from faith leader Claire Deroche of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock on Long Island, about how her faith community found their voice in the movement, powerfully called to action by survivors of solitary and their loved ones. Watch the New York excerpt.

Louisiana: In this 8-minute except from Torture in Our Name, advocates from the Louisiana Stop Solitary Coalition tell the story of their on-going efforts to end the torture of solitary confinement in their state. Hear from survivors who are leading the way and the faith allies who have found their voice in the movement, including Rev. Alexis Anderson of the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Reform Coalition. As a result of their efforts, in 2020, Louisiana banned placing pregnant people in solitary confinement. Louisiana’s laws on solitary had not been changed for over 180 years. Watch the Louisiana excerpt.

Help Let Others Know About the Film

After you watch the film, invite your friends and community to watch. We have prepared sample social media posts and newsletter text - go to the Promotions Kit.