Prior to a recent settlement, Christa had been held in solitary confinement for 27 years, which exacerbated her underlying mental health issues.
In September 2024, attorneys representing Christa reached a settlement with the Tennessee Department of Corrections that will increase Christa’s privileges, including her ability to interact with other inmates and participate in work and recreational activities. Ultimately, this settlement allows her to enjoy the same privileges that men on death row have. Men on death row in Tennessee are housed together and allowed to work whereas Christa previously spent 22 to 23 hours per day in a “room smaller than a parking space.”
The settlement establishes a three-phase plan to increase Christa’s privileges as follows:
Phase One, lasting one month, includes participation in recreational activities adjacent to others. Christa gets two hours of rec time with other women and one hour of “lobby time” where she can eat lunch with other women. She also works a two-hour shift cleaning with at least one other woman.
Phase Two, lasting three months, includes working alongside up to five workmates for at least two hours per day and receiving meals and recreational time with workmates.
Phase Three includes eligibility to work as an administrative assistant in the unit and participation in some group activities like meals, classes, and religious services with other inmates.
Prior to this settlement, Christa had been held in solitary confinement for 27 years. Despite receiving treatment for her bipolar disorder, her prolonged solitary confinement has had “an irreparable impact on her psychological, emotional, and physical well-being” as stated in an application on her behalf.
Comments