Nelson Mandela, for whom the United Nations’ “Mandela Rules” for solitary confinement is named, once said, “The full contribution which our prisons can make towards a permanent reduction in the country’s crime rate lies also in the way in which they treat prisoners. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of both professionalism and respect for human rights.”

The Mandela Rules have often been raised since the issue of solitary confinement started taking center stage in Lehigh County at the Aug. 10 commissioners meeting.

The Sept. 7 Courts and Corrections Committee meeting, chaired by Zach Cole-Borghi, continued the discussion of solitary in local facilities.

Lehigh County Jail Director Janine Donate spent nearly two hours addressing concerns from both members of the public and commissioners about the treatment of the county’s inmates, specifically those who spend time in solitary confinement and the possible effects it might have on their mental health.

One of the participants described his experience in solitary confinement as torture, adding that it “destroys people.”

Donate said there are two key ideas in the jail’s policy mission: The right to take away personal liberties and the responsibility to provide basic care.

As for solitary confinement, Donate said segregation of inmates is based on individual safety factors, such as a street issue which is brought into the jail community, placing an inmate in danger.

Sometimes, segregation is used as a form of discipline. Reports and documentation always take place in such a circumstance.

Donate also stressed that the jail does all that is possible to protect the mental health of all of its current 743 inmates. Unlike a prison, a jail is seen as a short-term institute, defined by sentences of less than 23 months and 29 days. The hope is for reintegration into the community as a valuable member of society.

To reach that goal and to protect inmates’ mental health, the use of tablets and family visits is encouraged. Weekly medical checks are also conducted, all in the hope of fostering rehabilitation.

Donate said, “We need to figure out a way to get them to re-integrate into the population.”

The next Courts and Corrections Committee meeting is scheduled for Nov. 2.