Talsky Center Presents Talk on Long-Term Solitary Confinement of Prisoners
Michigan State University College of Law’s Lori E. Talsky Center for Human Rights of Women and Children hosts a talk on the long-term solitary confinement of prisoners on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. David Fathi, director of the American Civil Liberties Union National Prison Project, will present the lecture titled “Prolonged Solitary Confinement of Prisoners as a Violation of International Human Rights Law” at noon in room 471 of the Law College building.
“There are approximately 80,000 prisoners held in solitary confinement in the United States. They are locked down for weeks, months, or decades, suffering sensory deprivation and a lack of any meaningful human contact. Many inmates are severely psychologically damaged by these conditions,” said Professor Susan Bitensky, the Alan S. Zekelman Professor of International Human Rights Law and director of the Talsky Center. “Now, thankfully, a strong argument is being advanced by human rights jurists like David Fathi that such prolonged solitary confinement violates international law’s prohibition on torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.”
The event is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided at 11:45 a.m.
The Talsky Center educates MSU Law students, as well as the broader community, about international human rights law and international humanitarian law. The center promotes human rights for all people, with a primary focus on women and children—generally the most vulnerable and, therefore, most easily victimized members of society.
Contact Susan H. Bitensky, the Alan S. Zekelman Professor of International Human Rights Law and director of the Talsky Center, at bitensky@law.msu.edu or 517-432-6898 for more information.
Last updated: March 21, 2014
