Isolating a prisoner for more than five days in a process known as administrative segregation is unconstitutional because the system lacks proper safeguards, an Ontario judge ruled Monday. The provisions require the warden to have the placement decision reviewed within five days but only the warden can change the decision. Marrocco disagreed, saying the law is lacking because it does not mandate an effective and independent review of segregation decisions. “The court has recognized that decisions about solitary confinement are too dangerous to be left in the hands of jailers,” Rosenberg said. “(But) I am satisfied that there is no serious question the practice of keeping an inmate in administrative segregation for a prolonged period is harmful.”

Source: thestar December 18, 2017 19:52 UTC