“So, let me get this straight. NY State prisons used to routinely use torture as a means of control”
Dear Editor,
Recent statements put out by our elected representatives have left me feeling disheartened, as it seems that our representatives in Albany are upset that torture has been outlawed in New York prisons.
Joe Sempolinski, our State Assemblyman, calls for the HALT Act to be repealed to “restore safety to New York’s prisons”. George Borrello, our State Senator, sent a letter to Governor Kathy Hochul demanding the “disastrous HALT Act” be repealed. What is the HALT Act, you may wonder? Passed in 2022, The HALT Solitary Confinement Act limits the length of time a person can be placed in solitary confinement as a means of control in prison.
A 2020 press release from the UN titled “Prolonged solitary confinement amounts to psychological torture” makes a very unambiguous case for the elimination of the use of long term solitary confinement. The UN’s Nelson Mandela Rules, created to honor the experience and suffering of the late Nelson Mandela, prohibit long term solitary confinement. The HALT Act also prohibits people under 21, people over 55, people with disabilities, and people who are pregnant or post partum from being put in long term solitary confinement.
So, let me get this straight. NY State prisons used to routinely use torture as a means of control. Albany passed a law to stop this torture. The Department of Corrections union, in part, went on strike because they can’t torture people. And Sempolinski and Borrello are sending out official statements complaining about torture being outlawed?
Shouldn’t they be more upset that torture was ever allowed in the first place?
Amie Acton
Allegany County Democratic Committee
Town of Alfred Representative
The Wellsville – Hornell – Keuka Sun sites accept opinions from all perspectives that are cogent, respectful, and without any hate or malice. Published opinions-editorials do not reflect the opinion of the publisher or advertising partners. All submissions must include name and address emailed to WellsvilleSun@yahoo.com
