US has over 80,000 people in solitary confinement, including many children: Many have a severe mental illness or cognitive disability, and attempt suicide at much higher rates (Likely disproportionately male)

Revoran · 2012-10-01T06:15:42+00:00

This is but one small part of massive systemic problems with the US justice system.

We all know the statistics. The US leads the world in total prisoners and percentage of people in jail. Prisoners are disproportionately male, black and latin american origin. 20% of prisoners are non-violent drug offenders etc etc.

I was unaware that 80,000 people were in solitary confinement (out of a total of 2.5 million prisoners) so thanks for bringing this up. Interestingly, 80,000 US prisoners are also minors.

pauldustllah · 2012-10-01T02:36:34+00:00

The Military and Prison Industrial complexes are the scourge of young men, especially young men who are Hispanic and Black in the US.

pauldustllah · 2012-10-01T05:52:16+00:00

Frankly if persons in solitary confinement are attempting suicide then IMO the guards are failing to do their job. They are supposed to be monitored. I find this upsetting. There is obviously a failure of leadership going on and needs to corrected.