R.I. joining prison reform movement

Rhode Island lawmakers are trying to limit the time spent in solitary confinement to 15 days for vulnerable prisoners. This means people with mental illnesses, and the young and old. Representative Aaron Regunberg and Senator Harold Metts are leading the charge in the House and Senate, because Regunberg says solitary confinement is quote “a human rights issue.” The bill will also provide therapeutic alternatives to solitary confinement, like counseling. More than a dozen states have created similar pieces of legislation. Back in January, President Barack Obama banned solitary confinement for juveniles in federal prisons. But J.R. Ventura, chief of public relations and information at the State Department of Corrections, says that solitary confinement does not exist in Rhode Island prisons “There is no place where people stay 15 days without human contact. That doesn’t exist,” Ventura said. Ventura says the proposed bill is “vague” and “doesn’t reflect the management practices” in place. But Regunberg says he just wants to put solitary confinement in the spotlight here. “Folks have said it’s not an issue here … but we’re only hearing from one perspective, so let’s hear from folks from the other side who experienced it and lets say if it’s an issue or not! I believe it is,” Regunberg said. Time will tell whether the bill progresses. Regunberg plans to meet with members of the DOC soon to discuss the bill. He says a hearing before the House Judiciary Committee should take place in the next week or two.