Last Call To Register!

Maryland Advocacy Day

Solitary Confinement

Thursday, January 28, 2016

9:30 am - 2 pm

Sign the Petition

Reduce Prolonged Solitary Confinement in Maryland

According to a recent report from the Maryland Department of Correctional Services, over 8% of the prison population is confined to administrative or disciplinary segregation (solitary).  The national average is 4%.  The average length of stay in segregation in Maryland prisons is 125 days.  ---Psychologists and Human Rights lawyers urge that no one should be in solitary for more than 15 days.  There are humane and effective alternatives to solitary confinement/segregation.

We call upon state legislators and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to take steps to reduce prolonged solitary confinement/segregation.

Please Sign The Petition Which Will Be Forwarded To Legislators In Annapolis.

 2016 Session of the Maryland Legislature

IAHR along with its partners Out for Justice and ACLU-MD, is submitting "Reporting Bill" to 2016 Maryland Legislative Session.  The "Reporting Bill"mandates that the Maryland Department of Correctional Services report every quarter on the number of prisoners in segregation (solitary), the number of prisoners in segregation who have a mental illness, their average length of stay, the number of juveniles in segregation and their average length of stay, and the number of prisoners who have been released from prison directly from segregation.  In the past, the Department of Corrections has refused to give out such information.  The first step to reform is greater transparency from the Department of Corrections.  You can read a draft of the bill by clicking here.  

IAHR and its partners will be advocating for this bill during this session.  We urge you to support these efforts by joining us on January 28 for Advocacy Day or by contacting your Senator and Delegate indicating your support for these bills.