Today on Your Call: What is the reality of solitary confinement in US prisons?

Malihe Razazan — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 07:00:00 +0000

On today's Your Call, We’ll have a conversation with investigative journalist and former hostage, Shane Bauer about California’s Pelican Bay State Special Housing Unit also known as SHU. Join us live at 10 or send an email to feedback@yourcallraido.org? What are the long-term mental health effects of near total isolation? It’s Your Call, with Holly Kernan and you.

Transgender immigrant detainees face isolation in detention

Nancy Lopez — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 15:26:04 +0000

The issue of prison rape is often belittled by standup comedians, but it’s really no laughing matter – especially if you’re a transgender woman locked up in an all-male facility.

Grace Lawrence, 43, is a transgender woman from Liberia who was in the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, for nearly three years. For all but six months, she was kept in solitary confinement for 23 hours a day.

Often, transgender inmates are placed in protective custody – also known as solitary confinement – for their own protection.