Chelsea Manning sentenced to solitary confinement over suicide attempt
Trans whistleblower Chelsea Manning has been sentenced to 14 days in solitary confinement – after attempting suicide over lack of gender treatment.
Private Manning, who announced her transition to female in 2013, is currently imprisoned in Fort Leavenworth military prison after leaking details of classified government documents concerning alleged war crimes and rights abuses via WikiLeaks.
Manning has sued the US Army for her right to transition behind bars, and has also taken action against her “unjust” 35-year prison sentence – on the basis that her actions helped make public a large number of serious issues related to military practise.
The whistleblower was rushed to hospital in July after a suicide attempt, but later said in a statement she was “glad to be alive”.
Although the military finally agreed to allow her gender surgery behind bars this month, Manning has today been convicted on a charge of “conduct which threatens” over her suicide attempt.
In a statement, Manning said: “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.
“The term for this status is ‘disciplinary segregation.’
“There is no set date set for this to start. After I receive the formal board results in writing, I have 15 days to appeal. I expect to get them in the next few days.
“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.”
