Before I Begin...

I should probably mention how the use of solitary confinement can be deemed as unconstitutional. For this to happen, it must be found, by the Supreme Court, to be violating one or more amendments of the United States Constitution. Of these amendments, the first ten are the most well known. These amendments are the ones found in the Bill of Rights.

Critiques of Solitary Confinement state that it violates the Eighth amendment. This amendmemt protects citizens by ensuring porpotionality in a person's pubishment and prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.  These critiques state that solitary can be cosidered a cruel form of punishment, and often cite many studies that show the detrimental effects solitary confinement had on prisoners.

Solitary Confinement

The first issue that I will be taking up will be the morality and constitutionality of solitary confinement. For this question, I will be looking to answer five questions. These five questions are:

1. What is solitary confinement and how is it used?
2. What are the long term effects of solitary confinement?
3. What are the regulations on solitary confinement?
4. Are there any Supreme Court cases regarding solitary confinement? If so, what were they?
5. What does international law say regarding solitary confinement?

While I answer these questions, I will also be sure to discuss the use of solitary confinement on underage prisoners (under 18 years old), if it is used on them at all.

If I Don't, Who Will?

I ask myself this question every time I see issues regarding social justice and legal rights in the media. And when I hear, read, or see an issue that I find to be important, this question echoes loudly in my mind. This is a question I ask because I believe it is important to stand up for what is right and just. 

However, the decision isn't always an easy one to make. I have trouble choosing what to do because the one doubt that always crosses my mind is, "How could I possibly be able to make a real difference?" I live in a city that is called home by many people. How could my voice stand out against that of many. I am also young. I am 18 years old. I lack real life experience and I haven't formed my own connections with other people. How could I make a difference?

The answer to this question is that I don't know how I could make a difference. I can't predict the future. All I can do is share my opinion with the world in whatever way I can. This is why the internet is wonderful. It is on the web that I can share my opinion with so many people. So that is what I will do. I will shout into the void that is the internet, hoping that someone will listen.

I will no longer assume that there will be someone else to share information and their beliefs. While this may be the easier path to take, it isn't necessarily the right path. If everyone makes their decisions based on the belief that someone else will take responsibility, change will not happen. So here I am. Standing up and speaking out. Because if I don't, who will?