VANCOUVER — A lawyer for the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association and the John Howard Society of Canada says solitary confinement violates the charter right to life, liberty and security of the person.
Joe Arvay is delivering closing arguments in B.C. Supreme Court in the a lawsuit against the Attorney General of Canada over the use of indefinite segregation in prisons.
He says cases where prisoners have committed suicide in solitary confinement, show clearly that the practice can deprive people of life.
Arvay also says that the evidence overwhelmingly shows that placing a prisoner in a cell alone without meaningful human contact can cause serious psychological suffering.
He adds United Nations rules for the treatment of prisoners say indefinite and prolonged solitary confinement amounts to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment.
The Canadian government is expected to deliver closing arguments later this week.
