FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
State Rep. Mike D-Lancaster Chairman, Democratic Policy Committee www.pahouse.com/sturla	State Rep. Ronald G. Waters D-Delaware/Phila. Hearing Co-Chair www.pahouse.com/waters

MEDIA ADVISORY

House Democratic Policy Committee to hold public hearing

on effects of solitary confinement Tuesday in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 13 – House Democratic Policy Committee Chairman Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, announced today that the committee will hold a public hearing on the effects of solitary confinement from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 18 at Temple University, President’s Conference Suite, First Floor, 1810 Liacouras Walk.

Rep. Ronald G. Waters, D-Delaware/Phila., requested the hearing and will serve as co-chairman. The hearing will examine various issues surrounding solitary confinement, including mental health and legal rights. The current hearing agenda is:

· 10 a.m. – Welcome and opening remarks

· 10:10 a.m. – Panel of mental health experts:

Ø Dr. Terry Kupers, institute professor, The Wright Institute

Ø Dr. Craig Haney, professor of psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz

· 10:50 a.m. – Panel of legal experts:

Ø Jules Lobel, president, Center for Constitutional Rights

Ø Marc Bookman, executive director, Atlantic Center for Capital Representation

Ø Angus Love, executive director, Pennsylvania Institutional Law Project

Ø Robert Meek, managing staff attorney, Disability Rights Network of PA

· 11:50 a.m. – Panel of former inmates in solitary confinement:

Ø Robert King

Ø Hakeem Shaeed (formerly Robert Molley)

Ø LuQman Abdullah, senior vice president, Back to Society Inc.

Ø Shujaa Graham, board vice chairman, Witness to Innocence

· 12:20 p.m. – Panel of testifiers with family members in solitary confinement:

Ø Theresa Shoatz

Ø Shandre Delaney

Ø Patricia Vickers

Ø Barbara Fair, founder, My Brother’s Keeper

· 12:50 p.m. – Closing remarks