Reps. Richmond and Walker Introduce Bipartisan Solitary Confinement Reform Bill

Press Release

Today, Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-02) and Congressman Mark Walker (NC-06) issued the following statement after the introduction of H.R. 4488, the Solitary Confinement Study and Reform Act of 2019:

"It is past time that Congress act to study and reform solitary confinement in the United States," said Rep. Richmond. "This is an issue I have been working on since my time in the Louisiana State Legislature. Solitary confinement is inhumane, psychologically damaging, and unnecessarily expensive to taxpayers. Passage of this bill would advance the national conversation we need on solitary confinement and help improve the treatment of prisoners and juveniles in our prison systems."

"In our country, offenders are to be held responsible for their crimes, but solitary confinement with its numerous negative effects on a human's well-being and the taxpayer's wallet, should not be our first resort for punishment," said Rep. Walker. "The Solitary Confinement Study and Reform Act of 2019 will ensure the finest methods are being utilized in our jails and prisons so that inmates are treated humanely and given the best chance to return to society as healthy, productive, and law-abiding citizens."

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