NCJ Number
106612
Journal
International Journal of the Sociology of Law Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: (May 1987) Pages: 105-120
Date Published
1987
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This 1983-1984 study examined the physical condition of internment and the physical and psychological treatment of 144 male and 31 female detainees held under South African security regulations.
Abstract
Personal interviews with the former detainees show clearly that physical and psychological torture was systematically practiced on a widespread basis as part of the coercive treatment of legally authorized detention. All subjects reported psychological abuse, and 83 percent reported physical abuse. Almost 80 percent of the sample had been subjected to solitary confinement. Forms of torture included threats, prolonged interrogation, terror tactics (e.g., sham executions), exposure to snakes and spiders, use of dogs to bite detainees, drug administration, beatings, electric shock, suspension, strangulation, and applications of cigarettes or chemicals. On the average, a detainee claimed to have been subjected to three forms of physical and six forms of psychological coercion. Africans, and black detainees in particular, were more heavily tortured and subjected to far more violent forms of torture. 2 notes, 2 case citations, and 8 references.