United States of America: Conditions for death row prisoners in H-Unit, Okhaloma State Penitentiary

Index AI : AMR 51/034/1994
Date de publication : 30 avril 1994
Catégorie(s) : Amériques, États-Unis

This document presents the findings of an AI mission to investigate conditions in H-Unit, a new maximum security unit within Oklahoma State Penitentiary. AI has concluded that the conditions under which death row inmates are currently confined in H-Unit constitute "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment". This conclusion is based on several factors, including physical conditions in cells; amount of out-of-cell time; inadequate exercise provision; isolation and lack of educational or other programs; health services; and food provision. Some of the conditions in H-Unit violate the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners; delegates also found that some conditions also violated standards set by the American Correctional Association.