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Chelsea Manning’s Conviction Could Harm Her Chances of Parole - ACLU

© AP Photo / U.S. ArmyChelsea Manning
Chelsea Manning - Sputnik International
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Punishing whistleblower Chelsea Manning for possessing prohibited items such as toothpaste and reading materials could affect her chances of parole and clemency, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) lawyer representing Manning said in a statement on Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Tuesday evening, a closed disciplinary board at the Fort Leavenworth, Kansas correctional facility found Manning guilty of four charges, including disrespecting a prison officer and possessing prohibited material.

Manning’s punishment includes a 21-day restriction going to the prison gym, library and outdoors.

"Not only does this punishment mean the immediate loss of library and recreation for Chelsea, but she also will carry these infractions through her parole and clemency process, and will be held longer in the more restrictive custody where she is now incarcerated," ACLU Attorney Chase Strangio said.

The ACLU explained that Manning’s conviction could be cited during future hearings regarding parole and clemency, and can delay her from going to medium to minimum security status.

"No one should have to face the lingering threat of solitary confinement for reading and writing about the conditions we encounter in the world," Strangio said. "Chelsea's voice is critical to our public discourse about government accountability… and we can only preserve it if we stay vigilant in our advocacy on her behalf."

Manning has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for espionage and theft of government data. The sentence has sparked outrage from international human rights organizations.

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