Thread by @richimedhurst

Day 15 of the #Assange extradition hearing. Live updates in this thread:

(Apologies, I was prevented from following the court proceedings this morning).

Court returns from lunch.

Joel Sickler continues his testimony from this morning. Sickler is an expert on US prisons with 40 years of experience in corrections and sentencing. #AssangeTrial

Some key points from Sickler’s morning testimony:

-He firmly believes #Assange will be thrown in ad-seg (solitary) at ADC or the “X-unit
-Limited interaction and communication with other prisoners. None if placed under SAMs

#AssangeTrial

-Gov puts prisoners in x bloc for nat sec crimes, very likely #Assange will go there for pre-trial
-Several of Sickler’s clients have committed sui. in pre-trial due to harsh conditions
-If convicted Assange will end up at ADX Florence, H Unit and placed under SAMs

#AssangeTrial

Cross-examination of Sickler by Dobbin resumes.

They are debating the humanity— or lack thereof— in US federal prisons.

-Sickler echoes what other witnesses told us: no attorney client privilege in ADX. Conversations are monitored and in one case lawyer herself was prosecuted under terrorism charges.

Sickler is arguing that any medical or mental health treatment at these facilities is insufficient. Moreover these facilities have a bad track record at preventing suicide, among them some of his clients.

Despite what the prosecution says, Sickler is not changing his views.. ADC has ad-seg and makes people want to commit sui. and ADX Florence has SAMs— even worse. Neither offer adequate healthcare, socialization, or leniency. And Assange will in all likelihood be sent to both.

Sickler also notes #Assange’s notoriety puts him at danger, on top of the torture and lack of medical care he will receive on an institutional level.

Sickler’s testimony is concluded. Court is adjourned resumes tomorrow 10am. #Assange trial

Check out this playlist for full a breakdown of each day in the #Assange trial.