The Legal Aid Society hailed the signing of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, which significantly limits the use of solitary confinement in New York State prisons, as reported by El Diario.

The law specifically limits the length of time anyone can spend in segregated confinement, restricts the criteria that can result in such confinement, provides additional procedural protections prior to such confinement, and exempts certain people who suffer from various conditions from such confinement entirely.

“This historic moment is a product of tireless work by New Yorkers who have been directly impacted by inhumane confinement practices, their families and communities, and advocates who would not relent until this legislation was finally signed into law, said Tina Luongo, Attorney-in-Charge of the Criminal Defense Practice at The Legal Aid Society. “Solitary confinement is torture, and today is a significant step towards eradicating the use of torture in prisons and jails throughout New York State.”