New York sued over so-called owed time in solitary

[azurnoir]

Source: yahoo

Inmates held in solitary confinement at Rikers Island as punishment for violations during previous stints in jail are suing to stop the practice, known as owed time.

A class action lawsuit filed Thursday in Manhattan federal court says inmates are unduly placed in 23-hour confinement for breaking jailhouse rules in previous detentions, sometimes years earlier. For example, if an inmate is sentenced to a month in solitary confinement but is released or transferred before completing it, he can be forced to serve the remaining time during his next incarceration.

The practice, which experts say is unique to New York City, is described in the lawsuit as arbitrary and unfair because it doesn't allow for a hearing or other rights normally afforded under the internal disciplinary process.

A jails spokesman didn't immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday. A Law Department spokesman said officials are reviewing the lawsuit, which seeks an end to the practice and damages.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/york-sued-over-called-owed-time-solitary-221101588.html

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[seveneyes]

2. Spin the wheel of never ending time

Blessed were the ways of the creatures in their caves
Who hold the last clue in the life of me and you
They had the fight to make good their rights

Credit: Nektar, Remember the Future

[loudsue]

3. The prison system in this country is barbaric and needs to be TOTALLY investigated and overhauled

This shit just has to stop.

[mopinko]

4. wtff.

just wtff.

[malthaussen]

5. In Colditz POW camp during WWII,

... the prisoners accumulated so much "cooler" time (for escape attempts, insubordination, and general rowdiness) that they ended up serving "solitary" three and four to a cell. It's actually kind of like when I was suspended in high school -- for not coming to school.

-- Mal