CT Supreme Court Will Hear Appeal of Hunger Strike Inmate

William Coleman has refused solid foods for three years. He is serving an eight year sentence for spousal rape and is expected to be released in December of 2012. Coleman began the hunger strike to protest the circumstances of his prosecution and believes the judicial system is corrupt. 

 

The ACLU of Connecticut began representing him after the state Department of Correction asked for a temporary injunction to force-feed Coleman. In March, a judge gave the DOC permanent permission to force feed Coleman when necessary. 

 

ACLU staff attorney David McGuire says international law forbids the force-feeding of prisoners when they're deemed competent and capable of making informed decisions. But there's very little precedent in this country to point to. McGuire stresses that's why it's significant the state Supreme Court will hear Coleman's appeal. 

 

"In the past the Connecticut Supreme Court has at times cited to international treaties and international law when there's scant domestic authority and we believe this is one of those cases. And if the Supreme Court weighs in on this case and says yes, it is appropriate to look to international law, it will have impact on future civil liberties cases in both Connecticut and nationally."

 

The last time the DOC force-fed Coleman was in April when he stopped taking in fluids. When he is force-fed,  the state uses intravenous and nasal-gastric methods which the ACLU and Coleman say is torture. McGuire says the state Supreme Court may schedule oral arguments in this case for early next year.