Alabama Prison Cuts Off Water to Cells of Hunger-Striking Prisoners

And in Alabama, officials at Holman prison have cut off water to the cells of eight prisoners on hunger strike as they protest conditions in solitary confinement. Officials say prisoners will instead be offered bottled water every half-hour so they can monitor the prisoners’ liquid intake.

The prisoners were placed in solitary housing units on February 28 without warning. They say they committed no infraction or violation of prison rules; instead, they were told in a letter from prison officials, “You will remain in Restrictive Housing in Preventative status for peace and tranquility of the institution.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center has sued Holman prison, saying its heavy reliance on solitary confinement violates the Constitution’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment.