On June 19, 2012, Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois made history with the first-ever congressional hearing on the use solitary confinement. After the emotional and powerful hearing, a group of religious leaders of various faiths gathered in the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to break bread and end the 23-hour fast symbolizing the 23-hours of solitude inmates must endure each day while in solitary confinement. Click here for links to news coverage of the hearing.

Written remarks from religious leaders:

• Linda Gustitus, President, National Religious Campaign Against Torture
• Rabbi Rachel Kahn-Troster, Director of North American Programs, Rabbis for Human Rights-North America
• Dave Louden, Chief of Staff, Justice Fellowship/Prison Fellowship Ministries
• Kathy McNeely, Director, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns  
• Bill Mefford, Director of Civil and Human Rights, General Board of Church and Society of the United Methodist Church 
• Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II, Director, Presbyterian Church Office of Public Witness
• Maggie Siddiqi, Program Coordinator, Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances, Islamic Society of North America