The lawsuit accuses prison officials of placing inmates into confinement based on secret evidence, leaving them unable to challenge their placement. A number of lawsuits nationally have targeted the conditions of solitary confinement, saying that the treatment of incarcerated people there has led to psychiatric episodes of self-mutilation and death due to lack of adequate care. The lawsuit asks the court to end the use of secret evidence and solitary confinement for mental health patients. But mental health treatment in the prison is “grossly inadequate” and Maldonado's time in solitary confinement caused insomnia, anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation, his lawyers said. Maldonado was prescribed an antidepressant, but was also taunted as being weak by others in solitary confinement, who can hear visits from mental health staff.

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Persons: Angel Maldonado, ” Maldonado, “, Maldonado, ideation, ”, Alexandra Morgan, Kurtz, ” ___ Brooke Schultz Organizations: of Corrections, Correctional, Department of Corrections, Mental, Pennsylvania Institutional Law, Associated Press, America Statehouse News Initiative, America Locations: HARRISBURG, Pa, Pennsylvania, of Corrections ’, Fayette