After years of tireless advocacy and many deaths in the prison system, human rights group #HALTsolitary say they see a light at the end of the tunnel with the possible abolishment of solitary confinement in New York, but they also say the choice is left up to one man.
On Dec. 3, the 34th official cosponsor signed on to support legislation (No 2173) to end solitary confinement in New York City jails, meaning that the bill now has veto-proof support. Those who have been fighting to end solitary confinement feel this a big win and could lead the way to a momentous shift in the prison system. However, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson must call a vote, something the group is putting pressure on him to do immediately.