By Maiken Scott
Newsworks
Originally published March 11, 2013
The Disability Rights Network is suing the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, claiming that housing seriously mentally ill prisoners in solitary confinement is unconstitutional.
In the lawsuit, the advocacy organization claims about 800 Pennsylvania prisoners with severe mental illnesses are incarcerated in "restricted housing units," where they dwell in small, single cells for at least 23 hours a day, with the lights on the entire time. The suit calls this cruel and unusual punishment.
(cut)
Pennsylvania's Department of Corrections would not comment on the suit, but officials said that of the state's 51,300 prisoners, about 20 percent are known to have mental health issues.
The entire article is here.
