A lawyer for Chelsea Manning has
confirmed reports that she attempted to commit suicide last month at
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where she is serving a 35-year prison
sentence for violating the Espionage Act.
Manning had started a week of solitary
confinement as punishment for a previous suicide attempt in July.
Manning gave a statement to The
New York Times about the attempted suicide, which took place
on October 4. In the statement, Manning simply states “evening –
attempts own life in Disciplinary Segregation/Solitary.” Her
lawyer, Chase Strangio of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU),
confirmed to the Times that the attempt took place.
Most of Manning's four-page statement
details events that took place on October 10, including an attempted
attack on the prison by four people impersonating guards.
The Army in September agreed to provide
Manning with medical treatment for her gender dysphoria after she
staged a hunger strike. Manning's psychologist recommended the
surgery in April.