The American Civil Liberties Union has deemed the conditions former New England Patriots All-Pro tight end is being held under as a “form of torture.”
In a blog post on ACLU.org, the group expresses concerns about the mental damage it feels Hernandez is suffering by virtue of being held in solitary confinement, refining him to his single cell for up to 23-hours per day.
"Regardless of what you think of Aaron Hernandez, it's important to take a minute and remember he has not yet been convicted — in the eyes of the law, he is still innocent until proven guilty," ACLU.org wrote. "But, while awaiting trial, he has been locked alone in a small room with little or no human interaction for over 20 hours a day."
In discussing the "debilitating psychological effects" inflicted on prisoners held in such extreme isolation, ACLU officials also note that studies show prisoners released from such conditions suffer from much higher rates of repeating criminal behavior.
Hernandez, 23, is being held without bail on first-degree murder charges in connection with the execution-style slaying of semi-pro football player Odin Lloyd. A one-time associate of Hernandez’s, Lloyd’s bullet-riddled body was found less than a mile from Hernandez’s North Attleborough mansion late last month.
Since being held at the Bristol County Jail, sheriff officials have also denied his request to wed fiancée Shayanna Jenkins, the mother of his 7-month-old daughter.
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