Supporters: Chelsea Manning Is in Solitary Confinement

But officials say that's not a fair assessment
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 25, 2019 4:58 PM CDT
Supporters Want Manning Out of 'Solitary Confinement'
This booking photo provided by the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, in Virginia, shows Chelsea Manning.   (Alexandria Sheriff’s Office via AP)

Supporters of Chelsea Manning have called for her release from prolonged solitary confinement at a Virginia jail, but an official disputes that she's being held in those conditions, the AP reports. Former Army intelligence analyst Manning was sent to jail March 8 for refusing to testify before a grand jury investigating WikiLeaks. She had previously served years in prison for leaking troves of classified US documents. The Chelsea Resists group says in a Saturday news release that Manning "has been kept in her cell for 22 hours a day. This treatment qualifies as Solitary Confinement."

Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne says in a statement that the group's accusations "are not accurate or fair." The sheriff says the facility does not have solitary confinement but uses "administrative segregation" and inmates have access to visits, books, and recreation. A judge has ordered Manning jailed until she either testifies or the grand jury concludes its work, the Guardian reports. (Much more on the contempt of court case here.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X