That is not particularly American. There are dozens of other examples in other countries too. In America, at least there is a wikipedia article about the injustice, while in other countries is extremely difficult to get such injustices known.

He was in solitary confinement that long as a result of his repeated escapes. Not for the initial charge. Whether you agree with the way it turned out or not, the way you phrased it is completely incorrect and misleading and just rage baiting.

On the contrary, that detail makes it even more enraging. A real life Jean Valjean.

Do a root cause analysis. I doubt he'd be spending time in solitary for escaping from prison if he was never imprisoned.