At the maximum-security women's prison in Bedford Hills, New York, a new policy has left hundreds of incarcerated women without basic comforts. For months now, showering and indoor recreation have been cut short, leaving the inmates locked in their cells for extended periods, with some spending up to 24 hours confined.
Desperate cries echo through the hallways as women beg for respite from their isolation. Cici Herrera, an inmate at Bedford Hills, explained that the lack of freedom has driven her to madness. "That's the only way I can keep myself from thinking too much," she said. "I'm going crazy."
The restrictions are part of a new superintendent, Michael Blot, who implemented changes aimed at reducing fights and safety concerns. However, critics argue that these measures amount to an attack on human rights. The women have no access to indoor recreation space, even during the coldest winter days.
"It's like we're in solitary confinement," said Kit, a transgender inmate who has been held in solitary confinement before. "We're used to regular programming, but now it's day and night with nothing to do." The inmates are losing patience, leading to increased screaming and banging on cell doors.
Experts warn that these conditions may violate state law and pose significant risks to the health of the women. Research has shown that solitary confinement can lead to premature death from despair, such as opioid overdoses or suicide.
The New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has denied allegations of inadequate shower time and lack of religious accommodations. However, advocates point out that showers are limited to specific time slots and hot water is only available for a short period each day.
Chloe Aquart, director of the Restoring Promise Initiative at the Vera Institute of Justice, said that this situation reflects a broader problem in US prisons – a culture of "secondary punishment" where treatment becomes an additional form of punishment beyond imprisonment.
Desperate cries echo through the hallways as women beg for respite from their isolation. Cici Herrera, an inmate at Bedford Hills, explained that the lack of freedom has driven her to madness. "That's the only way I can keep myself from thinking too much," she said. "I'm going crazy."
The restrictions are part of a new superintendent, Michael Blot, who implemented changes aimed at reducing fights and safety concerns. However, critics argue that these measures amount to an attack on human rights. The women have no access to indoor recreation space, even during the coldest winter days.
"It's like we're in solitary confinement," said Kit, a transgender inmate who has been held in solitary confinement before. "We're used to regular programming, but now it's day and night with nothing to do." The inmates are losing patience, leading to increased screaming and banging on cell doors.
Experts warn that these conditions may violate state law and pose significant risks to the health of the women. Research has shown that solitary confinement can lead to premature death from despair, such as opioid overdoses or suicide.
The New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision has denied allegations of inadequate shower time and lack of religious accommodations. However, advocates point out that showers are limited to specific time slots and hot water is only available for a short period each day.
Chloe Aquart, director of the Restoring Promise Initiative at the Vera Institute of Justice, said that this situation reflects a broader problem in US prisons – a culture of "secondary punishment" where treatment becomes an additional form of punishment beyond imprisonment.
I mean, I get that safety is a concern and all, but at what cost?! Their mental health, their humanity... it's just so messed up. 
Cici Herrera's words really got me, she said she's going crazy from the isolation. That's heartbreaking. And don't even get me started on the lack of access to hot water, like they're trying to strip them of every basic human need. 
It's all just so... inhumane. I'm literally shaking with rage thinking about it 
. We need to do better than this, as a society, we need to stand up for these women and demand change! 
I'm all about questioning things, and this new policy at Bedford Hills is a huge red flag 
. These women are already locked up for serious crimes, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't have basic human rights, you know? It's like, yeah, safety and security are important, but can't we find a balance? I mean, 24 hours in your cell without any freedom is not exactly conducive to rehabilitation 
. And what about the mental health implications? Solitary confinement can be super detrimental to people's well-being. It's like they're piling more punishment on top of the sentence already. I think this policy is a prime example of how our justice system can sometimes prioritize punishment over actual reform 
.
. I mean, they're already stuck in there for months and now they're being punished even more by taking away basic comforts like showering and indoor rec? It's like, okay, we get it, safety first and all that, but at what cost? 
. The fact that they're being held in cells for up to 24 hours without any respite is just crazy. And the experts are warning us that this could be a health crisis waiting to happen? It's time someone took responsibility for these women and made sure their basic human rights aren't being trampled 
they need to rethink this policy ASAP, all these restrictions are gonna lead to some serious mental health issues and im worried about those women. 
michael blot might think he's making a change, but honestly, i don't think it's about safety, it's about control 
... that's just another way of sayin they dont care about these women's basic needs... we gotta do better than this
they gotta stop dis harsh policy & give them some freedom back ASAP 