The National Religious Campaign Against Torture is joining several prisoners' rights advocacy groups in hosting a rally prior to the California Public Safety Commission's hearings on Solitary Housing Units at Pelican Bay and other prison facilities. Even if you can't join the rally in Sacramento on August 23, you can still ask your Assembly member to attend the hearings:
Form to send message to your Assembly member through NRCAT
For those who would prefer to contact their assembly members directly, here's the list of assembly members.
If you have mid-day on the 23rd free and can get to Sacramento, information on the rally is here.
10:45 AM Meet together near the south steps of the Capitol (look for the NRCAT banners), and as a group we will deliver signatures.
11:30 AM Rally near the south steps of the Capitol. Look for the NRCAT banners. NRCAT will have signs available. Several other advocacy groups are also expected to be in attendance.
1:30 PM Public Safety Committee hearing, currently scheduled in Room 126. The hearing is open to the public, space permitting.
Some links on solitary confinement:
Criminal InJustice Kos: Solitary Confinement
Solitary Confinement and Mental Illness in U.S. Prisons: A Challenge for Medical Ethics
"Give Us in Here the Strength to See This Thing Through": A Chronicle of the Pelican Bay Hunger Strike
Solitary Confinement: Possibly Torture, Definitely Hell