The HALT Solitary Campaign is turning to the United Nations over what it calls international human rights violations happening in New York state prisons.

The campaign filed a complaint with both the U.N. special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment and special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. In the complaint, the campaign alleges that the state, as well as localities including New York City, have engaged in “egregious practices” that violate local, state and international human rights laws. The complaint specifically cites prison and jail use of solitary confinement, staff abuse, long sentences and deaths while incarcerated.

This is the first time that criminal justice and prison reform advocates have filed s

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