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posted by cmn32480 on Saturday September 24 2016, @06:08PM   Printer-friendly
from the prison-isn't-easy dept.

Chelsea Manning will spend at least seven days in solitary confinement for attempting suicide in July:

A military prison disciplinary board has sentenced US whistleblower Chelsea Manning to fourteen days in solitary confinement, her lawyer has said. She will spend seven days in solitary confinement for charges relating to her attempt to kill herself in July. She ended a hunger strike last week, after the military agreed to provide her with gender dysmorphia treatment. The army private, born as Bradley Manning, is serving a 35-year sentence for espionage.

Last July, the former intelligence officer attempted to take her own life, after what lawyers said was the Army's refusal to provide appropriate health care. She was found guilty on Thursday by prison officials in Leavenworth, Kansas, of "Conduct Which Threatens" for her suicide attempt. She also was convicted of having "prohibited property" - the book "Hacker, Hoaxer, Whistleblower, Spy," by Gabriella Coleman.

Earlier this month, it was announced that the US Army will grant Chelsea Manning's request for gender transition surgery.

The President of the United States and others believe that constraints must be placed on the practice of solitary confinement. Studies have found that solitary confinement leads to increased risks of self-harm.


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  • (Score: 2) by mendax on Saturday September 24 2016, @07:01PM

    by mendax (2840) on Saturday September 24 2016, @07:01PM (#406017)

    There is a strange logic to the US prison system. Prison can drive people to become suicidal. So, what do they do? They punish prisoners who try to off themselves by putting them into a situation that often drives people to suicide. I don't know about you, but if I had to spend two weeks alone in a cell with nothing but my thoughts to keep me company, it would drive me to want to kill myself.

    Solitary confinement is cruel and unusual punishment. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it, and the courts are beginning to come to that conclusion based upon ample evidence gathered in recent years that demonstrates just how traumatizing life in the hole is to the person. There are exceptions, of course. Some people, generally who are already crazy, do well in the hole, and there are some people who must be kept there for the safety of others, but in general, solitary confinement should be completely banned. I feel a great deal of pity for Chelsea Manning. She is in hell at the moment.

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    It's really quite a simple choice: Life, Death, or Los Angeles.
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  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 24 2016, @07:14PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Saturday September 24 2016, @07:14PM (#406018)

    It's only cruel and unusual punishment if /they/ do it to /us/. Never when /we/ do it to /them/... because /we/'re the good guys, of course

  • (Score: 2) by Beryllium Sphere (r) on Sunday September 25 2016, @06:47AM

    by Beryllium Sphere (r) (5062) on Sunday September 25 2016, @06:47AM (#406182)

    If I remember the numbers correctly, 90% or 95% of prisoners in solitary confinement have contemplated suicide.

    • (Score: 2) by mendax on Sunday September 25 2016, @06:54AM

      by mendax (2840) on Sunday September 25 2016, @06:54AM (#406183)

      I don't know the figures myself, but I suspect that you're already insane if you've been in solitary confinement for a long period of time and haven't attempted suicide.... if that makes any sense.

      --
      It's really quite a simple choice: Life, Death, or Los Angeles.