Mythbusting Solitary Confinement in Jail

Abstract Incarceration harms health, and solitary confinement provides a deadly example of this often-obscured truth. Several myths about the health risks of solitary confinement serve to stand in the way of abolishing this practice, particularly in jail settings, where most detainees are either awaiting trial or serving short sentences for minor crimes known as misdemeanors. These myths include the lack of real health outcomes from exposure to solitary confinement, its application in an even or fair manner, and the lack of safe alternatives. These myths persist in part because of a lack of rigorous data from US jail settings, where over 90% of all incarcerations occur and where solitary confinement takes on a unique pattern of harm that reflects the jail setting itself. This chapter reviews New York City’s adoption of an electronic medical record in its independent jail health system, argues that there is a pressing need for additional reforms in solitary confinement and other jail settings, and notes several barriers that imperil recent progress.