America’s solitary inmates

The Documentary Podcast

BBC

Documentary, Society & Culture

4.3 • 2.7K Ratings

🗓️ 22 April 2021

⏱️ 26 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Since the pandemic struck, millions around the world have endured lockdowns, with many finding it hard to tolerate long periods indoors. But what if lockdown meant years on end spent entirely alone, in a single room, sometimes no bigger than a large elevator? In many US states, jails and prisons routinely use solitary confinement to enforce discipline and indeed, sometimes to quarantine inmates for health reasons. Officials say it’s essential to ensure safety behind bars. Prisoners can be segregated for serious and violent offences, but also for infringing minor rules. And some have spent decades in isolation, despite the United Nations defining a stretch of more than fifteen days as torture. As one of the most prominent states, New York, now moves to accept the UN limit and reform the use of segregation, Hilary Andersson meets inmates and prison staff to understand what this draconian punishment is like, and what its psychological effects can be upon those affected, who include children as young as thirteen.

Produced for radio by Michael Gallagher

If you have been affected by any of the issues discussed in this programme, you can contact help at Befrienders International: www.befrienders.org

(Image: A juvenile inmate in a cell seen through the door hatch. Credit: Richard Ross)

Transcript

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0:00.0	I walked right into hell and after that my whole life just flashed before my eyes.
0:10.0	They call it the box.
0:12.0	When they opened the door and then the door closed behind me, my life went with it.
0:17.0	It's real like the whole atmosphere itself is closing in on it.
0:22.0	You know, you get this feeling where you're being
0:24.4	smothered almost. It's a place where many lose their minds. I've seen so many
0:31.1	men cut themselves and mutilate themselves just to get out the cell or go to the hospital.
0:38.1	Or they just go insane.
0:41.1	In the United States, many prison staff cease solitary confinement as essential to keeping order.
0:47.0	What do we do with the individual that gives another inmate 150 stitches across his face. But should it be legal? I'm Hillary
0:57.6	Anderson and for assignment this week here on the BBC World Service I'm traveling through America to learn how a draconian tool designed
1:06.9	to keep prisoners and staff safe from the most dangerous criminals is being used for minor offenders, mentally ill inmates, and most worryingly, even for children.
1:18.0	Some listeners could find what I've discovered disturbing.
1:30.0	I'm driving through the deep south, Mississippi. This is not a state where you want to end up in prison at all, let alone in solitary confinement.
1:36.4	Lock-ups here, notorious for their deplorable conditions, have long been known to be some of the worst in America.
1:43.0	The prison's just coming into view here, lots of barbed wire.
1:48.0	This is the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility.
1:52.0	In 800 feet, turn right. Central Mississippi Correctional Facility.
1:53.0	In 800 feet, turn right.
1:56.0	I'm on my way to meet the man who runs the entire prison system here.
2:00.4	His name is Burl King.
2:02.1	This is Burl in the world now.
	...

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