Solitary confinement is one of the most severe and destructive practices used in detention facilities. The World Health Organization, United Nations, and other international bodies have recognized solitary confinement as greatly harmful and potentially fatal. People with disabilities, pregnant people, youth, and the elderly are all at heightened risk from the harm caused by solitary confinement inside jails, prisons, and immigrant detention centers in California.

The solution is AB 2632, which:

• Bans solitary confinement for specific populations including
  • Individuals with certain mental, physical and developmental disabilities
  • Pregnant people
  • People under 26 or over 59 years old
• Sets limits for confinement to not more than 15 consecutive days, or 20 days total in any 60-day period
• Requires facilities to keep clear records on the use of solitary confinement in order to provide public transparency

Cost Analysis

A cost analysis of AB 2632 was recently conducted by Kevin McCarthy on behalf of Berkeley Underground Scholars and Hamid Yazdan Panah on behalf of Immigrant Defense Advocates. Their report shows that there will be significant savings if we limit how solitary confinement is used in California detention centers.

Read their full report here: https://imadvocates.org/cost-of-solitary-confinement-in-california/

Background:

In May of 2020, Mr. Choung Woong Ahn, a 74 year old Korean man took his own life after being placed in solitary confinement during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, in violation of the facility’s own protocols related to mental health and welfare.

Mr. Ahn’s tragedy set in motion a coalition between disability and civil rights organizations to create this legislation and achieve a solution.

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Latest News

• Community Coalition Announces Support for California Mandela Act that Limits CA Solitary Confinement - 1/27/23 Davis Vanguard
• Holden Reintroduces California Mandela Act, Targeting Solitary Confinement in Jails, Prisons and Immigration Detention Facilities - 1/25/23 Pasadena Now
• ‘Solitary confinement truly is torture.’ Bill to restrict it, vetoed by Newsom, is reintroduced - 1/25/23 Sacramento Bee
• Editorial: Solitary confinement is torture. Gov. Newsom can limit it in California - 9/27/22 LA Times
• ICE Overusing Solitary Confinement in California, Lawmakers Worry - 8/26/22 KQED
• Nearly 50,000 people held in solitary confinement in US, report says - 08/24/22 The Guardian
• California has the chance to limit solitary confinement. It should take it. - 08/14/22 Washington Post
• Will California Restrict Solitary Confinement? - New York Times 8/11/22
• California puts some of its most vulnerable prisoners in solitary confinement. A state bill would change that - 8/9/22 San Francisco Chronicle
• California should pass Assembly Bill 2632 to limit solitary confinement - 08/03/2022 The Orange County Register
• Solitary confinement is shrouded in secrecy and open to abuse. Why does California allow it? - 8/2/22 LA Times
• Opinion: I spent more than a decade in solitary confinement. Trust me, it’s torture - 7/31/2022 San Francisco Chronicle
• California considers restricting solitary confinement. It’s ‘cruel,’ lawmaker says - 7/31/2022 Sacramento Bee

Informational Video:

Speakers illustrate why the practice of solitary confinement is a disability justice issue and share stories of those who experienced or lost their lives after being kept in solitary confinement for prolonged periods of time.

Please Note:
This video may contain triggering and/or sensitive material. Sexual violence, sexual assault, and abuse are some topics mentioned within this video. 

• CA Mandela Act Community Call - Spanish Version

Speakers:

• Pamila Lew, Senior Counsel, Investigations Unit, Disability Rights California
• Richard Diaz, Senior Attorney, Investigations Unit, Disability Rights California
• Eric Harris, Director of Public Policy, Disability Rights California
• Vanessa Ramos, Community Organizer, Legislation & Communications Unit
• Lisa Knox, Legal Director, California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice

Tho Vinh Banh and Vanessa Ramos Testify in Support of AB 2632 - Senate Public Safety Hearing

AB 2632 Co-sponsors: