Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics a bill that would limit the use of solitary confinement in New York's prison and jail facilities was approved March 16, in the state Assembly. The measure now goes to the state Senate. The legislation won the support of the Democratic-controlled Assembly after an hours-long, emotional debate over the proposal to end segregated confinement. Supporters of ending the punishment see it as torture. The bill was passed on a vote of 101 to 49 in the Assembly; the state Senate is expected to take it up this week. “Study after study has shown the damaging effects of solitary confinement on a person’s mental health, and I have seen with my own eyes the impacts this inhumane practice has had on my constituents,” Assemblymember Jeff Aubry said. “It is time that we curtail the use of solitary confinement in New York State, and implement real changes in our criminal justice system that will get people the care they need.” Passage of the measure was also celebrated by criminal justice reform advocates who have pushed for changes to the state's prison system. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.