"The work is brutally demoralizing. For starters, the incarcerated workers are forced to undergo strip searches before we begin our jobs. These strip searches consist of getting completely naked before a prison guard, revealing our hands, feet, opening our mouths, lifting our scrotums, and spreading our buttocks to give them a complete view of our anus, which never ceases to be a sickening experience for me."
"A growing body of evidence shows that solitary confinement causes extreme suffering and mental and physical breakdowns even in individuals with no history of psychiatric issues, with symptoms that include anxiety, depression, psychosis, self-harm, and suicide."
"When we first walk onto the tier, a hallway where prisoners are housed, we confront the harsh realities of solitary confinement every time we go to work."
Incarcerated workers at Washington Corrections Center face demoralizing conditions while working in solitary confinement. They undergo invasive strip searches before their shifts, which include revealing their bodies to guards. Their tasks, such as cleaning and folding laundry, are among the least stressful in a highly unsettling environment. Research indicates that solitary confinement leads to severe mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies, particularly affecting those with pre-existing mental illnesses. Custodians are constantly reminded of these harsh realities during their work.
Read at Slate Magazine
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