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presence of consecutive disciplinary isolation measures, which lead to a
de facto prolonged isolation. Some of the NPMs pointed out the presence
of anomalies. For example, records have shown detainees put in isolation
before a formal disciplinary order, which, when issued, merely confirms
the period of solitary confinement that the detainee has already spent in
isolation, thus giving it formal legitimacy.
Regarding the monitoring of meaningful social contacts that each isolated
prisoner should maintain, from the records of the isolation section (where
there is one) it should be possible to note who enters the section and for
how long, and then question these professionals on the kind of contact they
have with isolated prisoners. Among them there should be doctors, for
whom the records show the frequency and duration of visits. Several NPMs
have reported that not only are visits not carried out every day, as required
by international standards, but that at times even the national legislation is
not respected on the frequency of the visits to isolated prisoners.
Prison records may also reveal indicators of possible ill-treatment or
violence, which require further investigation. An NPM reported a case
in which a blanket was brought to the prisoner in the isolation section 3
days after the beginning of the isolation measure: an investigation was
necessary to understand if the person did not have any blanket up until
that moment, or if it was an additional blanket. Another NPM reported the
case of an isolated person whose name had been written next to the crime
for which s/he was being held, which could be interpreted as a possible
communication between officers to harass the detainee.
In some cases, NPMs study the medical records of isolated individuals.
This also makes it possible to assess the extent to which the medical
staff orders isolation as a response to suicide attempts or self-inflicted
acts. This is a totally inappropriate solution, since it is necessary to give
more support to those who express such distress instead of taking away
activities and human contacts. Documentation should show the measures
taken to address the issue of self-inflicted violence and suicide attempts
Monitoring Solitary Confinement in Prison
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