U.S. appeals court allows Roy Lee Williams with mental illness to sue Pennsylvania prison officials for solitary confinement cruelty.

A U.S. appeals court has allowed Roy Lee Williams to sue Pennsylvania prison officials for cruel and unusual punishment after spending 26 years in solitary confinement despite his mental illness. Sentenced to death in 1988, Williams' conditions persisted until 2019. The court found prison officials were aware of his mental health issues and the unconstitutionality of their practices. His case reflects growing scrutiny over solitary confinement, especially for those with mental health conditions.

September 24, 2024
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