Horrors of solitary are recounted at Joint Council meeting

At a meeting in support of Senate Bill 2413, mental health professionals shed light on the current state of Massachusetts’ segregated confinement.

By Helen Frazer

BOSTON - Former prisoners described the emotional and physical trauma they experienced in solitary confinement at a hearing in support of Senate Bill 2413.

Senator James B. Eldridge introduced this bill to the Joint Committee of Public Safety and Homeland Security five months ago. This legislation would provide criminal justice reform protections to all prisoners in segregated confinement. Former prisoners and social workers came forward to testify against the current conditions in Massachusetts prisons.

“I didn’t think I’d make it thirteen years,” said Gary Bon, who spent over 10 years in segregated confinement in South Walpole.

Bon provided the committee with vivid details, describing the twenty-three hours spent alone in his cell with only one hour to shower and interact with others.

“It’s just us and our thoughts, and some of us aren’t strong enough,” said Bon to the panel.

He also mentioned that prisoners in solitary had to earn visitation. After 30 days one could get a singular phone call or visit. For sixty days they would receive two, and so on.

The conditions of solitary were brought to light when Leslie Credle, a former prisoner who currently works with the National Council For Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls, testified.

Credle spent eight days in solitary after being accused of smuggling drugs within the prison and was only released on doctor’s orders due to her shackles cutting deep into her skin. During her stay, she was subjected to strip services every time she used the restroom.

“Solitary confinement is meant to break you,” said Credle.

A large portion of the hearing was focused on the effects segregated confinement has on the physical and mental health of prisoners. Many individuals who testified were mental health professionals.

Cynthia Goldberg, who founded the F8 Foundation and works to integrate former solitary confinement prisoners back into society, testified.

Goldberg said, “I cannot convey the damage that solitary has done to them.”

The committee has decided to further extend their discussion of the bill addressing solitary confinement until May 1, 2020.