THE WIDESPREAD USE OF SOLITARY CONFINEMENT IN NEW MEXICO PRISONS IS ABOUT TO GET CHANGED. STATE CORRECTIONS SECRETARY GREGG MARCANTEL SAYS HE WANTS TO CUT THE NUMBER OF INMATES LIVING IN SEGREGATION IN HALF OVER THE NEXT YEAR.
THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTS NEARLY 10 PERCENT OF THE STATE'S 7-THOUSAND PRISONERS IS IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, MEANING THEY'RE LOCKED UP ALONE FOR UP TO 23 HOURS A DAY. THE STATE CAME UNDER FIRE FOR THE NUMBER OF INMATES CONFINED IN SOLITARY.
