Inmates on death row in Texas are taking legal action against the state over their conditions in solitary confinement. The inmates claim that long-term solitary confinement amounts to cruel and unusual punishment and violates their constitutional rights. The lawsuit, filed on January 26, 2023, alleges that the prisoners are kept in cells for 22 to 24 hours a day and are subjected to a range of harsh conditions, including inadequate medical care, little or no access to visitors, and limited access to reading materials.
The lawsuit comes as a hunger strike among Texas prisoners, protesting against solitary confinement, enters its third week. The Guardian reports that the hunger strike has been organized by prisoners across the state who are demanding an end to the inhumane conditions they face in solitary confinement. The prisoners have sent letters to the Texas Tribune, detailing their experiences of isolation and their motivations for striking.
According to the Texas Tribune, the letters reveal a range of harrowing experiences, including extended periods of isolation, inedible food, and inadequate medical care. The prisoners argue that the conditions they face in solitary confinement are inhumane and that the state is failing to meet its obligations to protect their health and well-being.
The hunger strike is part of a growing movement against the use of solitary confinement in US prisons. The inmates’ legal action against the state is expected to bring the issue to the forefront as the court hears their arguments and considers the evidence. The lawsuit seeks an end to the practice of solitary confinement and calls for an immediate investigation into the conditions faced by prisoners on Texas’ death row.