Walling is an interrogation technique where a prisoner is slammed against a mock wall, causing disorientation and fear. It’s considered torture by many and can cause physical and mental harm. In regions where it’s illegal, prisoners can report it to welfare advocates and international organizations. Without a ban, inmates may seek legal assistance to argue that it constitutes torture.
Walling is an interrogation technique in which an interrogator forces a prisoner to stand with their heels against a mock wall, and then slams the prisoner against the wall, creating a loud noise as the wall deflects under the pressure. This creates disorientation and fear, as the prisoner may worry about bumping into the wall and may experience a ringing sensation in their ears from the noise. This practice is considered torture by many international legal authorities and is not legal in some countries. Others defend it, arguing that it doesn’t put the prisoner in immediate danger.
Simply standing with your heels against the wall can be uncomfortable for extended periods of time, and interrogators may use this as a stress position, ordering the prisoner not to move. When the interrogator combines this with pushing the prisoner against a wall that the prisoner thinks is real, it can create considerable psychological stress in addition to physical discomfort. Some prisoners report having collars or towels wrapped around their necks to support the cervical spine, preventing whiplash. Interrogators might argue that paying attention to the safety of prisoners during the masonry procedures is an indicator that this practice is not torture.
This technique can expose prisoners to injury, even if their necks are protected. It’s possible to fracture bones by pushing someone against a wall hard enough, and prisoners typically end up with heavy bruises, especially along the shoulder blades. Walling sessions can be combined with sleep deprivation, bright lights and loud noises, all of which can increase a sense of disorientation and expose people to mental health complications such as psychosis or depression.
In regions where this practice is not legal, prisoners can report walling to welfare advocates and international organizations, if they can access representatives of these groups. These groups may conduct an investigation into interrogation practices at the prison facility and the result could be a complaint forcing the prison to review its practices. These groups can also mandate the use of observers in interrogation rooms to ensure that personnel comply with international law.
When a government does not ban bricklaying or explicitly authorize the practice in particular facilities, inmates generally have no recourse to file complaints. They can make notes of prison conditions and seek assistance from an attorney who may argue that, while the individual practices may be legal, combined, they constitute torture by creating emotional and physical distress or the threat of permanent injury.
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