Victory! Paul Rogers released into General Population

Paul Rogers has been released into the general population at State Correctional Institution (SCI) Smithfield after spending 12 years in solitary confinement. His release comes after a letter writing and phone call campaign by family and supporters, including the Human Rights Coalition.

Paul was featured in a post on Solitary Watch on January 24, 2013. Despite not having a serious misconduct since being placed in solitary 12 years ago, Paul had been in what he termed an "illegal limbo," placed on the Restricted Release List and not able to be released from isolation without the authorization of the Secretary of the PA Department of Corrections, John Wetzel.

The Superintendent at SCI Smithfield had approved Paul's release early in 2013. An advocacy effort was quickly launched on Paul's behalf to Secretary Wetzel. Today a supporter received a letter from Paul stating that he had been released into general population. A phone call to SCI Smithfield confirmed his release from solitary.
Paul shared his gratitude to everybody who spoke up in support of him.

Click here to listen to an interview about Paul's long-term solitary confinement with Lois Ahrens of The Real Cost of Prisons, and Kharla Rogers, Paul's sister.