Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Albert Woodfox AP Photo/Max Becherer
albert woodfox

US prisoner freed after 43 years in solitary confinement

Human rights organisations had condemned the sentencing of Albert Woodfox.

THE LONGEST SERVING solitary confinement prisoner in US history has walked free after 43 years.

Albert Woodfox had been locked up since 1972 for the murder of a prison guard.

The 69-year-old had been the last of the ‘Angola Three’, a group of inmates whose decades in solitary confinement drew the ire of international organisations.

His release was ordered last June, with US District Judge James Brady barring the state from ever retrying him. However, this decision has since been overturned.

Woodfox has always maintained that he was innocent of the death of Brent Miller, and was freed after accepting the lesser charge of manslaughter.

During the past four decades, Woodfox’s conviction has been overturned on four occasions for a range of constitutional violations.

Angola Three Albert Woodfox at the Ashe Cultural Arts Centre in New Orleans at his first appearance since being released AP Photo / Max Becherer AP Photo / Max Becherer / Max Becherer

Amnesty International, who campaigned on behalf of Woodfox, said in a statement:

Nothing will truly repair the cruel, inhuman and degrading solitary confinement that the state of Louisiana inflicted upon him. But the belated measure of justice, that came on Woodfox’s 69th birthday, was something he had been seeking for more than half his life.

During his time in Closed Cell Restriction, Woodfox was made to endure conditions that included periods of spending 23 hours a day confined to his cell.

The other two members of the Angola Three, Robert King and Herman Wallace, were released in 2001 and 2013 respectively.

The three men had been incarcerated prior to being charged for the murder of Miller.Wallace and Woodfox were associated with the Black Panther Party while in prison, and had campaigned to improve conditions within the prison.

Read: A judge who sentenced a man to 55 years in prison is pleading for his release

Also: Irish citizen arrested on international terrorism charges in Spain

Your Voice
Readers Comments
68
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.