by MOSES Publications | Jun 30, 2024 | Advocacy, Events, Newsletter, Prisons
What’s the Significance of “23”?
By Pamela Gates
On the 23rd of every month, MOSES and EXPO members plan to gather from 12 to 12:30 pm on the State Street steps of the Capitol to draw attention to the fact that hundreds of people are being subjected to solitary confinement in Wisconsin’s prisons, and to demand that the state put an end this practice. The 23rd was chosen because people in solitary spend 23 hours alone in their cells every day. They spend the other hour someplace else, but also alone.
The United Nations has declared that solitary confinement for more than 15 days is torture. By that measure, we are torturing hundreds of people in Wisconsin prisons and jails. On April 30, 2024, 787 people were confined in solitary in Wisconsin’s prisons, and Wisconsin’s county jails use the practice as well. People are confined to solitary for various reasons, including breaking a prison rule, having a mental breakdown, or being perceived as a danger to themselves or others. Says WISDOM’s David Liners: “Wisconsin needs to join the states that have implemented the ‘Mandela Rule’ that limits the practice to 15 days, and that only for extraordinary circumstances.”
On May 23 members of JOSHUA gathered outside the Green Bay Correctional Institution (GBCI) to call attention to the 129 people confined in solitary at GBCI on that date; 81 had been there for over a month. Seven of those in solitary were acknowledged by the DOC to have “severe mental illness.”
On May 23 in Madison, about 15 people gathered to offer prayers for those in solitary and to deliver a letter to the Governor’s Office reminding Evers of his stated opposition to solitary confinement and demanding that he take tangible steps to put an end to it in Wisconsin.
On June 23, a Sunday, only two were there: Patti La Cross and Pam Gates. We talked with one couple at some length and otherwise held signs (“Solitary = Torture” and “End the Lockdown”) as people moved up and down the steps enjoying the beautiful surroundings and the beautiful day. (Ongoing lockdown measures at Green Bay, Waupun, and Stanley have mimicked the practice of solitary confinement to a significant degree. The excuse has been lack of staff, but releasing people who are eligible for release would solve that problem completely.)
You are invited to join the gathering at noon on the 23rd of each month on the State Street Capitol steps to remember, as Liners puts it, “some of the most isolated, marginalized, suffering people in Wisconsin.” To learn more or become further involved with this effort, email WISDOM Organizer Mark Rice at ricermark@gmail.com.
Note: This report relied heavily on a May 22 press release by WISDOM Executive Director David Liners for background information.
by mosesmadison | Nov 9, 2015 | Events
Tuesday, November 10, 5-9pm – Central Library
- Reform Now is a 45 minute collection of documentaries showcasing work Wisconsin residents are doing to challenge solitary confinement and incarceration practices. The film begins at 5:30pm, and filmmaker Tim Coursen will lead a discussion after the screening.
- WISDOM will present their 11×15/Restoring Our Communities Wisconsin campaign to decrease Wisconsin’s prison population to 11,000 by the end of 2015. WISDOM is an interfaith grassroots network. Presentation starts at 7:30pm.
- A resource fair will be available on a drop-in basis from 5-9pm for visitors to meet members of community groups who are addressing racial inequalities and working for social justice. Groups present include WISDOM, MOSES, Madison Groundwork, Urban League of Greater Madison, Justified Anger, YWCA, and Madison Urban Ministry.
Experience Solitary Confinement
Wednesday, November 11, 7-9pm – Central Library
Former inmate Talib Akbar, Reverend Jerry Hancock, Reverend Kate Edwards, and Jean Feraca, formerly of Wisconsin Public Radio, will share their experiences with solitary confinement and their involvement with prison reform.
- A lifesize, walk-in model of a solitary confinement cell, based on drawings made by Mr. Akbar, and a soundtrack of a real unit will be at the library during the event and also available for anyone to experience at the library from November 7 through November 12.
by mosesmadison | Mar 5, 2015 | Events
During the week of March 9th, stop by The Stream in the Theatre Arts building at Edgewood College in Madison WI to experience life in a solitary confinement cell. This experience is contemplative in nature and campus-wide participation is encouraged. The Solitary Cell can be reserved for an individual over a 30 or 60 minute time period. Please contact Tony Garcia, tgarcia@edgewood.edu, for group/classroom visits.
by mosesmadison | Dec 29, 2014 | Events, MOSES in the Media, Resources
The replica of a solitary confinement cell will be installed at First Congregational Church in Madison, WI from January 4 – January 10, 2015.
The cell will be available for viewing during the following times:
Sunday, Jan 4: 10am worship service- Tuesday, Jan 6: 1-4 pm
- Thursday, Jan 8: 1-4 pm and 6-8 pm
- Saturday, Jan 10: 9-noon (Tour before or after the monthly MOSES meeting!)
Also, view the Reform Now video on Solitary Confinement including footage from the October 1 rally at the State Capitol:
by mosesmadison | Nov 14, 2014 | Events, Resources
A replica of a solitary confinement cell will be installed for one week at the
Madison Christian Community, 7118 Old Sauk Road, beginning this weekend.
As part of the installation, there will be a forum held on Tuesday evening, November 18th. Reverend Jerry Hancock will be leading the forum, which will include speakers and a talking circle.
The cell will be available for a few hours during the week for viewing and/or for spending some time sitting inside of it, in meditation or prayer or simply deep reflection about the reality of what we are doing inside of our prisons to our brothers and sisters. If you’re interested in this opportunity, please see the contact information on the flyer below.
