Solitary Confinement, also known as "restorative housing," "restrictive housing." or "general detention" in Virginia's prisons is the practice of keeping an incarcerated individual isolated in a cell alone or with one other person for 20 or more hours a day. The United Nations and medical community recognize that after 14 consecutive days in solitary confinement long term severe mental and physical health harm occurs and they call it torture. In Virginia we still use this practice in our state prisons. According to the Department of Corrections last year they kept someone in extended solitary confinement for more than 14 days 3672. In recent years Virginia has spent millions of dollars in settlements and legal fees to defend the practice of keeping people in solitary confinement. Every state that has eliminated long term solitary confinement has also seen either a cost savings or no long term increase in costs. I am asking you to support the budget amendment for the Senate bill being introduced by Senators Morrissey and Vogel that will end extended solitary confinement in Virginia. It is worth spending some money upfront to end the practice of torturing Virginians in our prisons.