Ocasio-Cortez says Manafort, others should be released from solitary confinement

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday called for President Trump’s former campaign manager Paul Manafort to be released from solitary confinement. 

The freshman congresswoman has frequently taken aim at Rikers Island prison, which is located in her district, for inhumane conditions.

{mosads}On Wednesday, Ocasio-Cortez, a frequent critic of the Trump administration, focused on a New York Times report of Manafort being sent to Rikers as a chance to renew her push for better treatment of prisoners.

“A prison sentence is not a license for gov torture and human rights violations. That’s what solitary confinement is,” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted, adding that Manafort and others held in solitary confinement should be released.

Paul Manafort is being sent to solitary confinement in my district – Rikers Island.

A prison sentence is not a license for gov torture and human rights violations. That‘s what solitary confinement is.

Manafort should be released, along with all people being held in solitary. https://t.co/9rERLDSzrD

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 5, 2019

Rikers Island has often been cited for violence and management issues.

It has not been made clear if Manafort will actually be placed in solitary confinement. The New York City Department of Corrections has reportedly stated that Manafort will be placed in isolation for his own protection, but would not be placed in solitary confinement. 

Manafort is currently serving a 7 1/2-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to federal conspiracy charges as part of a deal with prosecutors. The Manhattan district attorney indicted Manafort in March with 16 state felonies.

Updated at 10:52 a.m.