How long were you/have you been in segregation? Since Sept. 2019 I have been in segregation except for 20 days, so 12 months and counting.

At which facilities were you in segregation? IBC, Bellamy Creek Correctional Facility currently, and I was also confined to segregation for 3 months in Imax Ionia Max. Both are in Ionia, MI.

Please describe your experience when you first entered segregation.

When you are first confined to segregation you are given the bare essentials and most times not able to purchase stamps or use the phone for 3-4 weeks at least. You are also stripped of any independance. You are dependant on staff for every single thing you need, bedding, clothing, toilet paper, food, hygiene, showers. Transitioning to the solitude and inactivity is at first tramatizing. It mentally strains you and for me with pre-existing anxiety issues it dramatically increases both anxiety as well as depression. You feel a sense of being cut off and helplessness. Not only is your comunication in everyday prison life reduced to almost none your communication to the outside is also.

Please describe your experience as time went on. How did your activities change? How did your habits change? Anything else like sleep, hunger, ability to concentrate, etc.

As time goes on your mind somewhat acclimates its self to the new environment and circumstances. But the longer that you do, I’d say past 2-3 months it is a negative acclimation. You almost become numb to missing he normal communication and socialization. You sleep whenever you can due to the noise and schedule, often both very irregular, your ability to concentrate is hampered by the constant banging, yelling, and overall noise. You are almost always hungry due to the small portions but also due to the fact that you are unable to obtain food. I believe your mind is in constant state of hunger even if you may not be. The main thing is being able to keep your hold on normalcy, long term segregation, it is hard to keep yourself entertained and find productive activities, habits. The product of that is the erradic behavior, yelling, banging, and prisoners doing things that usually would never do in order to achieve entertainment or in some cases get privileges that officers use as a power tool.

What are things about isolation that are the most difficult to handle (ie the most dreaded part of segregation)?

The most dreaded part of segregation is definitely the mental strain that you endure from the seperation of socialization. Both within the prison and at probably the limited ability to communicate with family and friends. Then the being stripped of all independence, having now power to use even the most basic functions, i.e. shower, toilet. Depending on your demeanor and relationship with staff it can be a struggle to acquire even those most basic necessities. Boredom eventually becomes the worst part of being secluded to the same 10x10 cell for 12 months or even 3-6 months.

Was/is fear a part of your experience?

At one point yes fear was a part of my experience. Its hard to be honest about it but when you have a problem with an officer they tend to take a one for all, all for one attitude and them having some much power over you and your environment and conditions you do become fearful of what they may do or may not do. We have very little personal possessions and that is one form of get back that is used against you. Also knowledge is power in this digital era. The ability to look at your emails and listen to your phone calls is very accessible and I’d say mental manipulation strain is the most widely used tool to inflict hardship and fear.

Did you develop any lasting physical ailments as a result of segregation?

Outside of the lack of sunlight and lose of weight I personally have not had any physical ailments as a result of segregation.

Please describe how your relationship with your family has changed during this period.

My relationship with my family has suffered probably the most out of everything. The lack of contact, both physical and verbal over an extended period of time will strain any relationship. In the best case scenario, you are allowed a 15 min phone call once a week and written communication through the usps. For people such as myself with two kids and family there is absolutely no way to adequately maintain multiple relationships so you have to choose the most important ones to use your limited resources on.

If you could either change or replace segregation, would you? How would you change it?

I would definitely change it, any segregation should only be for a limited period of time. 30 days at most unless very serious incidents such as attempted murder, escape, etc. Even then the accessibility to the telephone as well as digital email should be far better. The damage that long term seg does to your support system, family and friends is irreparable. The mental damage that it does both socially as well as personally is also irreparable. I would change it so that we are not thrown into a cell and forgotten for months. There should be incentives and goals to reach, positive rehabilitation just like a regular system would implement.

Anything else you think is important to include?

I believe in my personal opinion that long-term segregation, except for in the most extreme cases is far more harmful that helpful to the overall mental, physical, and emotional well-being of human beings. We are not just prisoners, go sit in your bathroom for 6 months and have a stranger that don’t like you bring you a tray of food every day at 6, 10, and 4. No one deserves that unless it is absolutely necessary. Proper intervention and programs with goals and incentives are the best route.

Thank you for your time and concern

Shane Studier #505546

Shane Studier #505546