For some reason this is not getting a lot of attention over here at the US. I can’t imagine why.
Chelsea Manning is apparently in the hospital following a suicide attempt. Solitary confinement is used as a torture technique in US prisons, and can be applied for the most trifling of reasons (“did you look at me?” “hey, look at me when I’m talking to you!”) or supposed gang membership. In some cases, like Manning, or Jose Padilla, it’s applied out of sheer nastiness.
The Gruaniad has a “virtual experience” that allows you to get an idea what a 6×9 isolation cell feels like. The trailer is here:
You can watch this with the comfort and security of knowing that you can make it stop, at any time.
Can we refer to Chelsea Manning as a “political prisoner” now? And can we refer to solitary confinement as “torture”? The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture says it’s torture.
“It crushes your spirit and weakens your resistance more effectively than any other form of mistreatment.” – John McCain
Please, yes, and yes.
Let me guess: She’s in solitary “for her own safety.”
Shiv@#2:
I don’t think they even pretended, since it’s a military prison. They put her in solitary “because” – just sheer nastiness.