Faith Leaders Call on New York to End Solitary Confinement

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Faith leaders from around New York state plan to gather at the state Capitol to denounce solitary confinement of prisoners.

The organizers behind Tuesday's event say they'll bring together clergy from several different faiths to call on lawmakers to abolish solitary imprisonment, which they say is a cruel practice that leaves life-long psychological scars.

A bill before lawmakers would create new rules for prisoner isolation and prohibit placing any inmate in solitary for more than 15 days.

The bill has been endorsed by the New York State Catholic Conference, the state Council of Churches and the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State as well as other religious organizations from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths.

A vote on the legislation has not been scheduled.