Solitary Confinement

Abstract Solitary confinement is characterized by depriving a person who is incarcerated access to phone calls, family visits, guards, other incarcerated persons, and prison privileges (television time, ability to go outside, and/or religious services). Solitary confinement typically takes place in a small, brightly lit cell with a slot in the door so correctional officers may slide in a meal tray. Correctional personnel argue that solitary confinement helps to protect those incarcerated, corrections officers, and day‐to‐day prison functioning from violent criminals. Human rights activists argue that solitary confinement is a violation of the Eighth Amendment right that protects citizens from cruel and unusual punishment. Activists contend solitary confinement causes undue hardship and mental health issues like psychosis, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Similarly, human rights activists argue that solitary confinement has been used as a tool to segregate jailhouse doctors, lawyers, and civil rights activists, and that it disproportionately affects people of color.