| Friend, Candidate Joe Biden pledged to end solitary confinement of detainees in the United States. But under President Biden, the use of this barbaric practice in immigration detention facilities hasn’t just persisted. It has increased. In fact, a new investigation shows 61% more immigrant detainees were held in isolation during the third quarter of last year than in 2022.(1) It’s an outrage, but it doesn’t have to be this way. President Biden has changed policy before under tremendous grassroots pressure, and if enough of us speak up, he can put an end to solitary confinement.
Solitary confinement has been linked to a host of health problems, including brain damage, hallucinations, heart palpitations, and increased risk of self-harm and suicide.(2) For those struggling with mental health issues, the risks are even greater.(3) That’s why the U.N. says the isolation of prisoners for longer than 15 days constitutes torture. Yet a new report shows that 3,000 immigrant detainees were held in isolation last year for an average of 27 days, many on the thinnest of pretenses and a majority with recorded mental health issues.(4) The use of solitary confinement is neither compassionate nor just. That’s why 42 states have already acted to limit the practice or ban it altogether.(5) It’s why Biden and Vice President Harris promised to put an end to it when they were campaigning. Courage California is working to hold Biden accountable and demand he stop solitary confinement of immigrant detainees. Please join us! Will you sign our petition to stop solitary confinement at ICE detention centers? Yours in the fight against torture, –Irene, Annie, Angela, Isidra, Mario, Marvin, Alyssa, Jen, and Lindsay (the Courage team)
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