Photograph: Gerald Herbert/APCanada’s use of prolonged or indefinite solitary confinement in federal prisons is unconstitutional, a judge has said in a ruling that could end the controversial practice unless Ottawa appeals the decision. Goodale said Ottawa has already introduced legislation aimed at limiting the amount of time someone can be held in solitary confinement. The ruling is the second judgment in recent months to take aim at Canada’s use of solitary confinement. Both are severely over-represented in the prison population and in solitary confinement, said Aubrey. The vast majority of people in solitary confinement in Canada are under administrative, not disciplinary, segregation.

Source: The Guardian January 18, 2018 01:07 UTC