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Re:Photo Requests from Solitary by Stratoscope on Saturday July 04, 2020 @05:35AM (#23731220)
Oh my. Some of these make me want to cry.

> wild, natural countryside in Donegal, Ireland, where my grandparents are from

> Hello- I am writing because I heard about your photo program. I am in Pelican Bay SHU Short Corridor. I’ve been held in isolative conditions for 17 years. The image I would like is of Northern Ireland. Specifically Donegal. Any image of the wild, natural country there in donegal would be cherished. My grandparents and great grandparents are from there. Their stories of the place remain forever entrenched in my imagination and minds eye. I never took the time to seek out images of that far away land but, since being buried in SHU, I have longed to see it. I once had a dream of Donegal in which I was walking, barefoot, across the grass. I could literally feel the cool blades between my toes. As I woke, in my windowless cell, I felt a palpable sense of loss. It felt like I was underwater and drowning. In the waking moment I realized I’d be wading through time for the rest of my life. So, my request to you is for an image or photo of this beautiful land that haunts my dreams. I also want to thank you for your innovation. You’ve given choice to men who have lost the ability to choose. So thank you... With Respect, Patrick

http://photorequestsfromsolitary.org/84-2/

(Click "View All" at the top right to see the responses.)

Re:Photo Requests from Solitary by puzzledobserver on Saturday July 04, 2020 @08:14AM (#23731757)
17 years in isolation.

It can serve absolutely no punitive or reformatory purpose. It is of zero value as a means to compensation. Whether it is useful as a deterrent is unclear, but also immaterial.

The only purpose I can imagine is for the public to witness the misfortune of fellow citizens. A modern day public execution.

I am not hopeful that things will get better in the foreseeable future. I can only hope that our children judge us harshly.

17 years in isolation.

Re:Photo Requests from Solitary by revicon on Sunday July 05, 2020 @01:28AM (#23736801)
I wonder if the "Patrick" that signed that request is also the Patrick interviewed in this article also in the the Pelican Bay SHU:

https://www.commondreams.org/views/2013/07/17/california-pri...

Re:Photo Requests from Solitary by thomk on Saturday July 04, 2020 @01:09PM (#23733543)
Are you sure about that? I had the same reaction but then I starting thinking about all the horrible life-altering things a person could do to earn something like that. The penal system isn't perfect but it's what we have.
Re:Photo Requests from Solitary by clawedjird on Saturday July 04, 2020 @01:13PM (#23733568)
I’m not the person you responded to but, yes, I’m sure of it. In what sick alternate reality is an indefinite period of constant torture to be considered a reasonable sentence for anything?
Re:Photo Requests from Solitary by 737min on Saturday July 04, 2020 @01:47PM (#23733763)
If someone shanks and rapes another inmate every time they get out of solitary?
Re:Photo Requests from Solitary by clawedjird on Saturday July 04, 2020 @08:56PM (#23735925)
What percentage of people in solitary confinement do you think this describes? In any case, it sounds like your hypothetical prisoner should be in a psych unit.
Re:Photo Requests from Solitary by jibal on Saturday July 04, 2020 @07:02AM (#23731499)
SHU = torture
Re:Photo Requests from Solitary by refurb on Saturday July 04, 2020 @01:37PM (#23733706)
Ok. What’s your alternative if an inmate is violent and attacks other prisoners and guards on a regular basis?

Doesn’t the govt have a duty to protect other inmates?

Re:Photo Requests from Solitary by shoes_for_thee on Saturday July 04, 2020 @01:49PM (#23733779)
Worth mentioning that some prisoners wind up in SHU as a measure of protection from the general prison population.
Re:Photo Requests from Solitary by rectang on Saturday July 04, 2020 @11:47AM (#23733050)
For those not in the know (like me): "SHU" stands for "Security Housing Unit".