The Box: Spending 27 years in solitary confinement | Fault Lines Documentary

Dennis Wayne Hope escaped prison in 1994. After being recaptured, he was placed in isolation, where he witnessed suicides, experienced hallucinations, and heard voices that were a figment of his imagination.

After 27 years in solitary confinement, he was finally placed in the general population in 2022 after challenging its constitutionality in court.

On any given day, the United States locks away more than 120,000 people alone in prison cells with no meaningful contact with other human beings. In many cases, this means 23 hours a day in a small six-by-nine-foot cement space with one hour for recreation and a shower.

The United Nations has determined a period longer than 14 days in solitary confinement constitutes torture. Texas has one of the largest solitary confinement systems, with more than 3,000 prisoners in isolation.

Fault Lines examines the toll of solitary confinement on the mind and body.



Credits:
Executive Producer: Laila Al-Arian
Senior Producer: Jeremy Young
Correspondent: Rhana Natour
Director of Photography: Singeli Agnew
Editor: Leslie Atkins
Fact-checking: Abdulai Bah
Sound Mix: Luke Rohwer
Digital Producer: Riham Mansour

#documentary #US #texas
#Aljazeeraenglish
#News

[sarah.j.]

2:22 "He is the only person in Texas that's ever escaped from a non-escapable prison. He embarrassed them so bad on that, that that's why they have held it against him all these years."
So they're doing this out of spite. Human beings are truly despicable.

[Al-kdhv]

It’s so unfair how some people get less than 20 years for murder but others get 40 years for robbery.

[alexawermuth]

Being locked in a cell alone with nothing to do should be illegal period.

[NewYorkCity]

80 years for a robbery??? Are you kidding me??? They giving child molesters just probation. Something is wrong here

[Charlie_x]

I did 7 months in solitary confinement and I tell you it was the most difficult thing I’ve ever endured. One month feels like 4 months I can’t imagine doing 27 years smh the justice system has to pay for doing this to this man it’s disgusting

[charliewilson]

I've done 18 years in prison. During that 18 I did 6 and a half years in the hole. It makes you paranoid. Now that I'm out of prison I live in fear every day about going back. It makes you hate authority.

[mw]

My dad went to solitary confinement after a fight a man picked with him. My dad has severe vitiligo so he is an easy target. We knew something was wrong because we hadn't heard from him in days. His mother called and they said he got into a fight and was in solitary confinement. Even if its not your fault and you defend yourself like my dad did... you're both going in. My dad has been out for nearly a decade now and he's been doing amazing. He's stayed out of trouble, off drugs, has a lawn business, stable housing, a truck and car. He has his own garden and he's a good grandfather to my kids. I'm happy my dad knew God and made it through everything that was set in his path to ruin him.

[dontbeadrone]

His real crime: having a higher IQ than his jailers. He's obviously a very intelligent man. Not only his escapes, but his meticulous recored keeping--40 full binders worth in this friend's possession--prove that he is very bright.

[mairewalton]

That’s a life sentence of torture every minute of the day.
Deplorable inhumanity.

[justmadeit]

His mental strength is incredible. I’m barely coping with life with the severe depression I’m going through. How he’s still alive is unbelievable

[dannykabat]

That's absolutely crazy 80 years and he didn't even hurt no one😮

[blueskyautospares]

Is this the same US that barks globally about human rights?

[CONSERVATIVEFELON]

I spent 36 months straight in solitary and 17 years straight in prison. It was over twenty years ago. I will never be the same.

[davidnair]

This is pure evil, are there no good people in that system that can or could have done something to prevent this torture?

[marketwizard]

26 years in solitary confinement is inhumane

[rachelyoder]

I don’t care who you are or what you did no human should ever have to go through this. I can’t even comprehend the horror of having to live that!!! Unless you are a serial killer who was high risk for hurting others in prison this should be off limits

[jennpul]

He should be let out of jail. These days people get less than 27 years for murder and they dont suffer the afflictions of solitary confinement .

[richardsmith]

I'm 50 now and it still baffles me how we the people have allowed certain people to run our lives. The government of this country has been out of hand for years. We just lay in out little bubbles and let them rule walk over us. Maybe one day the younger generation will stand up for something finally.

[c.c.]

This is so sad and horrific they must do better, I can’t finish watching this. 27 years in solitary confinement that is just a nightmare.

[UnkxwnEvan]

How he be getting worse sentences then rapists and murderers? A RAPIST GOT ONLY 12 YEARS OF PRISON. LIKE WHAAAAT.

I know this dude did dirty, but still omg