The U.S. has led prison design for two hundred years. Early prisons were characterized by profound structural isolation: prisoners lived, worked, slept, and even prayed in total isolation. During the 1970's and 1980's more collegial forms of prisons were developed, encouraging collective activity including eating and recreation, while limiting movement. The new millenium brings a national and international committment to a new form of prison: the Super Max. These institutions are based upon the following principles:
1. Maximize punishment through profound solation and extreme restriction of movement; 2. Maximize punishment through constant psychological abuse in the name of security; 3. Maximize punishment by maintaining and encouraging the threat and reality of extreme physical violence; 4. Maximize security by extreme limitation of prisoners' access to outside contacts; 5. Maximize security by extreme limitation of prisoners' access to programs, including medical and mental health care, by routinely locking prisoners in their cells for close to twenty four hours each day; 6. Minimize prisoner contact and decrease number of guards through the use of high tech surveillance techniques;
States are required to establish Super Max prisons to qualify for federal funds, while U.S. experts export Super Max theory and practice throughout the world. Expert panelists will present current information on:
1. Access and quality of medical care in Super Max prisons 2. Mental health consequences to prisoners assigned to Super Max Prisons 3. International expansion of Super Max prisons 4. The Super Max Prison as an instrument of torture: Violation of Internation Treaties Against Torture. 5. Discussion of strategies for abolition of the Super Max.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, attendees will know about the utilization of Super-Max prisons in the United States and other countries. They will understand the medical and mental health consequences of incarceration in Super-Max institutions. They will understand the conflict between International Conventions against Torture and the daily experience of prisoners in Super-Max institutions. Attendees will be able to use the information presented to work towards the abolition of these institutions.
Keywords: Torture, Prisoners Health Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.