Chelsea Manning Sentenced to Two Weeks Solitary Confinement for Attempted Suicide

From: Towleroad

Chelsea Manning has been sentenced to 14 days of solitary confinement for her July suicide attempt and for being in possession of ‘prohibited property.’

Manning and her attorney, Chase Strangio at the ACLU, confirmed the news on Twitter.

I was convicted of "Conduct Which Threatens" for my suicide attempt. ='(https://t.co/rKJ4xMJdn9 #solitaryconfinement

— Chelsea Manning (@xychelsea) September 23, 2016

BREAKING: @xychelsea punished with 14 days solitary confinement for attempting suicide earlier this year. https://t.co/U0oIVFk8CB

— Chase Strangio (@chasestrangio) September 23, 2016

Said Chelsea in a statement posted to Tumblr on Friday:

“My three member disciplinary board took place today.

I presented evidence and was allowed to question witnesses through the board president. The hearing lasted four hours. There was a break for lunch.

I waited nervously for the board to vote. I received the decision after 30 minutes.

I was acquitted of the “Resisting The Force Cell Move Team” charge.

I was found guilty of the “Conduct Which Threatens” charge. This charge was for the suicide attempt.

I was found guilty of the “Prohibited Property” charge, which was for an unmarked copy of “Hacker, Hoaxer, Whistleblower, Spy,” by Gabriella Coleman.

My punishment is 14 days in solitary confinement. 7 of those days are “suspended.” If I get in trouble in the next six months, those seven days will come back.

Of the ruling, Manning added, “I am feeling hurt. I am feeling lonely. I am embarrassed by the decision. I don’t know how to explain it. I am touched by your warm messages of love and support. This comforts me in my time of need.”

Fusion reports:

Manning’s 14-day sentence is lighter than what some feared would be an indefinite stretch of solitary confinement after her July suicide attempt. In August, supporters delivered petitions containing over 100,000 names to Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning, demanding “adequate and humane treatment for both [Manning’s] gender dysphoria and her suicide attempt.” Manning had previously stated that lack of access to appropriate care for her gender dysphoria was a contributing factor in decision to end her life.

On September 9, Manning began a hunger strike to protest her prison conditions. She ended it five days later, after the military announced it would grant her access to gender transition surgery.