Corey Weinstein, MD, California Prison Focus, 1199 Sanchez, San Francisco, CA 94114, 415-333-8228, coreman@igc.org

The Federal and almost every State prison system has at least one supermax prison in which prisoners are locked in their cells 23.5 hours a day with few or no educational, work, recreational or spiritual programs. Many endure those conditions of reduced environmental stimulation and social isolation for years on end prior to release back into society. Called excessive punishment bordering on torture by the UN Human Rights Committee, supermax incarceration affects all US prisoners and the social structures of our communities. No prison administration in the US has conducted a study on the effects of supermax incarceration on prisoners or the prison community. What research has been done suggests that supermax facilities have had little effect on solving the significant problems of discipline in prison, but have had an adverse effect on prisoners and on custodial employees.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the effects of supermax incarceration on prisoners
• Identify primary mental and physical health consequences of supermax incarceration.
• Identify relevant sections of human rights convenants that regulate care of prisoners

Keywords: Prisoners Health Care, Human Rights

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.