News & Commentary written by Amy Fettig

Back to News & Commentary ›
A

Amy Fettig

Former Deputy Director

National Prison Project

Bio

Amy Fettig served as the Deputy Director for the ACLU's National Prison Project (NPP). At NPP, she litigated federal class action prison conditions cases under the Eighth Amendment. Her practice focused on claims regarding medical and mental health care in prison, solitary confinement, prison rape, and comprehensive reform in juvenile facilities. Ms. Fettig also directed the ACLU’s Stop Solitary campaign seeking to end the practice of long-term isolation in our nation’s prisons, jails and juvenile detention centers through public policy reform, legislation, litigation and public education. As a leading member of the national coalition seeking to end the practice of shackling pregnant women prisoners, Ms. Fettig worked with a wide range of ÌÒ×ÓÊÓÆµaffiliates on both anti-shackling campaigns and their advocacy strategies around women’s health in prison. A national expert on prisoner rights law, she provides technical legal assistance and advice to advocacy groups and lawyers around the country and has served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center, where she teaches courses on public interest advocacy. Prior to law school, Ms. Fettig worked with women prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families in New York City. She holds a B.A., with distinction, Carleton College; a Master’s from Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs; and a J.D. from Georgetown University. Ms. Fettig is a member of the New York State Bar (2002) and the Bar for the District of Columbia (2006).


Featured work

Jan 9, 2013

A Misguided Ruling in the WikiLeaks Case: 23 Hours a Day Alone in a Cell is Always Solitary Confinement

A Misguided Ruling in the WikiLeaks Case: 23 Hours a Day Alone in a Cell is Always Solitary Confinement

Jan 4, 2013

Tamms Supermax Prison, with its Inhumane and Ridiculously Expensive Solitary Confinement Practices, is Officially a Thing of the Past!

Tamms Supermax Prison, with its Inhumane and Ridiculously Expensive Solitary Confinement Practices, is Officially a Thing of the Past!

Jun 26, 2012

Why Do We Keep Building Needless Prisons?

Why Do We Keep Building Needless Prisons?

May 30, 2012

Justice Department Takes First Steps to Protect Kids from Rape

Justice Department Takes First Steps to Protect Kids from Rape

May 24, 2012

$4.1 Million Settlement Puts Jails on Notice: Shackling Pregnant Women is Unlawful

$4.1 Million Settlement Puts Jails on Notice: Shackling Pregnant Women is Unlawful

May 21, 2012

PREA Rule: DOJ Takes First Steps to Protect Prison Rape Victims

PREA Rule: DOJ Takes First Steps to Protect Prison Rape Victims

May 17, 2012

The Shameful Index of Prison Rape - Action on PREA Can End the Violence

The Shameful Index of Prison Rape - Action on PREA Can End the Violence

May 15, 2012

16 and Solitary: Texas Jails Isolate Children

16 and Solitary: Texas Jails Isolate Children

Nov 7, 2011

Solitary Confinement Destroys All Kinds of People

Solitary Confinement Destroys All Kinds of People

Sep 30, 2011

97 Years in Prison for a Mentally Ill Man Who Threw Feces

97 Years in Prison for a Mentally Ill Man Who Threw Feces