David Wade Correctional Center—located in Homer, Louisiana—continues to house prisoners in solitary confinement despite ongoing litigation.
It was estimated in 2017 that over 87,000 prisoners across America are being held in solitary confinement. Despite the many studies done by neuroscientists around the world that solitary confinement is a neglected social, economical, environmental risk That also causes and worsens mental illness. Despite these facts, and ongoing lawsuits spearheaded by Louisiana Advocacary Katie Swanson—formerly of the ACLU—ordered Jerry Goodman and coerced, refused to shut down that torture chamber.
Mental health patients in solitary confinement receive no form of counseling, no social workers come around to offenders, are left to deal with their mental health issues on their own. 23 hours a day, minus one hour in a cage outfitted exactly as a dog kennel, contrary to what they’d have taxpayers on the outside world think, offenders are left to languish in these deplorable conditions with no rehabilitation.
The only solution is to mandate away from the overuse and misuse of South compound cell block N1, N2, N3, N4. We ask that any and all who hear our constant pleas to be free from inhumane treatment, being denied medical, mental health care to call Louisiana State Representative and Head of Louisiana DOC James Leblanc and demand him to shut down David’s Wade south compound cell block. Dare to struggle, dare to win.
(Sound of a cell door closing.) These commentaries are recorded by Noelle Hanrahan of Prison Radio.