I write today to ask you to sign an executive order drastically restricting the on-going inhumane, torturous practice of solitary confinement in Virginia's prisons.
The ACLU of Virginia's new report, "Silent Injustice," has found that solitary confinement is a prevalent practice in our prisons. It means being isolated in a windowless room the size of a parking space for 22-24 hours a day, deprived of human contact, exercise, natural light and other stimulation. On average, those placed in solitary confinement in Virginia prisons stay there for 2.7 years even as the international human rights standard is no more than 15 consecutive days.
Governor Northam, please read the ACLU of Virginia's report at http://bit.ly/VASolitaryConfinement and I am sure you will agree that this cruel, outdated practice has no place in our Commonwealth today. I am counting on you to stand up for the hundreds of forgotten Virginians who are being tortured in solitary confinement right now.