Van Hollen Statement on Executive Action on Solitary Confinement

Statement

Today Maryland Congressman Chris Van Hollen released the following statement on President Obama's executive actions banning the use of solitary confinement in the federal prison system for juveniles and as punishment for inmates who commit low-level infractions, as well as diverting inmates with serious mental illnesses to more supportive units:

"Our criminal justice system is rife with inequalities and abhorrent examples of cruel practices that ruin lives instead of rehabilitate them. President Obama's actions to curtail solitary confinement in federal prisons are an important step forward that will undoubtedly prevent tragedies that can occur when young people and the mentally ill are subjected to inhumane conditions. I commend the President for his leadership to make our communities safer and to address the inequities in our justice system, and I will continue fighting in Congress to pass comprehensive criminal justice reform."

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