Prison Conditions

Abdulrahman is serving his time at USP Big Sandy, high-security federal prison, in Kentucky – a penitentiary that is 13 hours (1000 kilometres) away from us. He is detained in a maximum security wing in solitary confinement.  Prior to COVID-19, Abdulrahman’s family visited him on multiple occasions; however sometimes upon arrival, they were told that they could not visit him.

Here is a list of all the prison violations that Abdulrahman has endured:

• Solitary confinement (Special Housing Unit)
• No proper medication
• No proper mental health treatment
• No family calls
• Shackled and captive behind glass wall when his family visits.
• Lack of commissary money and therefore lack of essential items
• Lack of outside time
• Complaints/requests from Abdulrahman and his family are ignored
• Harsh punishments like torture for minor infractions and false tickets (e.g. passing notes to inmates or exchanging items for stamps to mail letters to his family)
  • Handcuffs, belly chain, ankle shackles are often tight and painful – leaves marks months after
  • Eat and use the washroom while being in restraints (i.e handcuffs, belly chain, ankle shackles)
  • Sitting on knees on prison floors for hours
  • Unreasonable use of force by correctional officers/guards
  • Clothes made of paper are uncomfortable, rips and does not protect from the cold
  • Left in cold cages for hours