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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | November 20, 2023 02:02 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tina M. Davis and Rep. Donna Bullock |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Prohibiting Segregated Confinement for Vulnerable Populations |
| For the nearly 40,000 inmates in Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system, the prospect of being placed in isolation and removed from all socialization for months or even years at a time is a constant threat. This type of segregated confinement deprives inmates of normal human interaction, access to rehabilitative programs and processes, and greatly contributes to a variety of negative physiological and psychological reactions, such as hallucinations, depression, anxiety, and paranoia. Research has shown that it has devastating effects on a person’s mental health, making it far more difficult for people to return home rehabilitated and prepared to reintegrate into society. This in turn presents serious challenges for stabilizing the neighborhoods, communities, and areas that people return to throughout our state. Our proposal would offer people in segregated confinement with enough socialization to prevent the worst physical and mental effects of isolation, and offer those with serious mental health issues alternatives to segregated confinement. Many states have already moved away from segregated confinement in the name of safer prison environments that promote rehabilitation and growth. The time has come for us as a state to take a hard look at how we treat inmates, and we believe it is our duty as public servants to do everything in our power to protect all of our constituents. Please join us in this fight to protect the rights of our most vulnerable prison populations and support them on their journey towards rehabilitation. |