In a statement sent to members of the United States Senate, The Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture (PSOT), The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) and Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) raised concerns regarding the substantial health concerns of indefinite detention, which is being considered by Congress and the Obama Administration. The organizations note that: “Medical knowledge and experience clearly demonstrate that indefinite detention without charge or trial results in harmful mental health consequences including severe depression and anxiety… A responsible debate of the prospects of indefinite detention in Congress must include open acknowledgement of the serious medical consequences.”

Noted PSOT Director, Dr. Allen Keller, “Indefinite detention results in pain and suffering well above what occurs simply  by virtue of being imprisoned. The uncertainty implicit in indefinite detention is profoundly traumatizing with serious health consequences.”

For more information, Dr. Keller can be contacted at 212-994-7169 or allen.keller@nyumc.org

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