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Well.. In their own words:
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30. As a basis for understanding the impact of solitary confinement for even two weeks on a human being, let alone 16 plus months, the defense cites the United Nations findings on that topic.
The United Nation’s Standard Minimum Rules for The Treatment of Prisoners (Rules 43 and 44) prohibits the imposition of solitary confinement for prolonged periods (defined as periods of 15 days or longer). Additionally, per the U.N. Standards, solitary confinement should be prohibited in the case of prisoners with physical or mental disabilities when their conditions would be exacerbated by such measures. (Rule 45). United Nations G.A. 70/175, The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, p. 13-14 (Dec. 17, 2015).
From the United Nations Website:
https://www.unodc.org/documents/justice-and-prison-reform/Nelson_Mandela_Rules-E-ebook.pdf
Rule 43
1. In no circumstances may restrictions or disciplinary sanctions amount to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The following practices, in particular, shall be prohibited:
(a) Indefinite solitary confinement;
(b) Prolonged solitary confinement;
(c) Placement of a prisoner in a dark or constantly lit cell;
(d) Corporal punishment or the reduction of a prisoner’s diet or drinking water;
(e) Collective punishment.
2. Instruments of restraint shall never be applied as a sanction for disciplinary offences.
3. Disciplinary sanctions or restrictive measures shall not include the prohibition of family contact. The means of family contact may only be restricted for a limited time period and as strictly required for the maintenance of security and order.
Rule 44
For the purpose of these rules, solitary confinement shall refer to the confinement of prisoners for 22 hours or more a day without meaningful human contact. Prolonged solitary confinement shall refer to solitary confinement for a time period in excess of 15 consecutive days.