Everyone, even those in prison, deserves to be treated like a human being. Being in solitary confinement for days, months or even years is torture. Many of those who have been subjected to long periods of solitary confinement end up developing a serious mental illnesses. As long as we dehumanize prisoners in Maine, we dehumanize ourselves. Torture is a moral issue, and it makes us all less safe. Subjecting prisoners to long periods of solitary confinement often causes them to become MORE dangerous. Most of people in prison will someday be out of prison, and the sort of people they are when they get out of prison is strongly affected by the treatment they receive in prison.

We, the undersigned, urge the Maine State Legislature to pass LD 1611: An Act to Secure Humane Treatment for Special Management Prisoners. This bill will limit the long-term use of solitary confinement in Maine prisons. It will honor our commitment to international treaties we’ve signed, including the UN Convention Against Torture. There are safer, more economical and humane alternatives to solitary confinement.

The Maine Civil Liberties Union, Maine Association of Psychological Physicians, Maine Council of Churches, NAACP – Portland, Roman Catholic Diocese and many other organizations support LD 1611.

We also urge you to contact your elected officials to vote yes on LD 1611. To find out who your elected official is for your area, go to http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/townlist.htm

Or you can contact your legislator by phone by calling 287-1400

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