While being housed in administrative segregation many psychological harms can come about amongst an individual. These psychological harms include social anxiety, depression, paranoia, and aggression—well among other symptoms. Many psychologists who have conducted research on both disciplinary and administrative segregation have come to statistical conclusions that—once an individual has been deprived of customary interaction(s), these segregated persons have reportedly suffered from many psychological issues. These mental health complexities include social anxiety and psychological distress (i.e.: panic, insomnia, paranoia, aggression, and depression). (Reiter et al., 2020) This expresses a huge concern for individuals in ad-seg to be in a desperate need for some sort of human interaction and/dialogue to safeguard the overall psychological health. It has also been statistically proven that an individual undergoing prolonged stay in solitary confinement may experience recidivism, severe mental illnesses or death post-incarceration. Increasing and granting individuals in ad-seg with consistent human interaction (especially during a critical pandemic) is imperative to decrease the issues listed above. It is already a psychological strain to deprive these individuals of contact visits with their families--granting them with rational phone privileges like the general population, will create a much less stressful environment at these facilities, even for staff. It is apparent that TDCJ is low on staff, however, it is not humane nor right to consistently give general population 15-30 minute phone calls while administrative segregation has little to no family contact. There should be a rational alternative and/or procedure to allow these individuals to contact their families to improve their psychological health throughout their ad-seg stay & sentence; as well as post-incarceration. 

Please sign this petition in pursuit of TDCJ granting AD-SEG & G5 individuals consistent and rational phone privileges.Thank you and we are one huge voice for out loved ones! Let's make a difference!