Man who spent 22 years in solitary urges Illinois to curb ‘psychological torture’

Anthony Gay, who calls solitary confinement wrong, despicable and horrible', hopes bill passed by lower house will become law

An inmate who spent 22 years in solitary confinement in an Illinois prison after being arrested for stealing a hat and a dollar bill is campaigning for legislation to end a practice that he says drove him to self-mutilation and a suicide attempt.

Anthony Gay said he was tortured for decades" by his isolation for up to 24 hours a day in a cold, tiny cell he likened to a dungeon, and was denied access to necessary mental health care.