Washington Prisons Will No Longer Punish Inmates For ‘Self-Harm’
American Journal of Public Health: Solitary Confinement and Risk of Self-Harm Among Jail Inmates
Listen to full story from NW new network (NPR)
Washington’s prison system has announced a major policy change when it comes to inmates who harm themselves. The Department of Corrections said Thursday that it will no longer sanction inmates for cutting or other acts of self-injury.
Self-harm is associated with borderline personality disorder and other mental health conditions. Scott Frakes, Washington’s deputy prison director, said he’s seen it firsthand and it can be gruesome.
Until now, Washington inmates who hurt themselves were subject to discipline. Those violations could lead to segregation from other inmates and a loss of time off for good behavior.
