Solitary Confinement
The Solitary Confinement section examines the use, impact, and controversies surrounding the practice of isolating inmates from the general population. This directory provides articles and resources on the psychological effects, legal considerations, and best practices for managing solitary confinement within correctional facilities. Understanding solitary confinement is crucial for balancing security needs with the mental health and rights of inmates. For more on inmate management, explore our section on facility management.
The HALT Act, correctional staffing and officer safety are at the center of labor negotiations — here’s what’s at stake
NYC DOC leaders say the Special Management Unit is needed to control violence and ensure safety at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center
In 2023, the number of people working in state prisons fell to its lowest level this century, according to the U.S. Census Bureau
The move settles a 2017 lawsuit challenging the use of solitary confinement for death row inmates in the state
The unanimous vote gives the county 60 days to either remediate the violations or remove young people
The state’s law limiting solitary confinement, along with other administrative and legislative actions, “water down” the disciplinary system, union leaders say
The contracts will provide lessons for COs on using less lethal weapons to restrain inmates
The bill “puts the safety of incarcerated persons and correction employees at substantial risk,” said Gov. Lamont
“I think the rest of his life is going to be a totally barbaric existence,” said a law professor
The Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association calls the move “reckless”
Caron Butler knows from experience the impacts of isolation in prison
Nearly 70% of voters in Tuesday’s election supported the measure
“The predators that lurk in our prison system basically now have a free pass to prey on whoever they want,” said Union President Michael Powers
The county sheriffs oppose the bill, saying it doesn’t address their need to separate dangerous inmates from others
Prisons and jails will not be allowed to hold inmates in solitary confinement for more than 15 consecutive days
If signed, the measure will limit any form of isolation exceeding 15 days and ban solitary confinement for vulnerable populations altogether
Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association president Benny Boscio called the move “a recipe for disaster”
The report calls on the department to use isolation “only if absolutely necessary” to protect the safety of prisoners and staff
Connecticut’s use of solitary confinement could amount to torture, UN says
Officials have found providing inmates in solitary confinement with mental stimulation reduces risk to COs, other inmates
New policies focusing on the use of low-cost incentives like extra snacks are helping to reduce the number of inmates in isolation cells
A class action suit alleges inmates were placed in solitary confinement and lost privileges over inaccurate tests
The suit alleges the use of solitary confinement as punishment for inmates is excessive
The report was filed as part of the government’s response to Kelly’s motion that he be granted bail so he can be released from “draconian conditions”
The inmate’s family is planning to take legal action
Women with mental health problems said in a lawsuit that they were subject to prolonged solitary confinement and dirty cells
The head of the NY Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association railed at escalating jail attacks
The violence comes in the wake of a heated citywide debate on punitive segregation
The state’s latest figures show 1,184 inmates are in restrictive housing — about 3.75% of the inmate population
The decision to not move forward with the bill was announced after leaders agreed on a deal to implement some changes administratively instead
Prosecutor Nicol Walgren said he was the kind of prisoner that voters envisioned when they eased the three strikes law
A report says Louisiana confined prisoners in solitary confinement cells at rates almost four times the national average in 2016
Under the bill, inmates would also be allowed to make one phone call per week while held in isolation
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- Federal probe finds severe problems in Mississippi prison
- Leisure books, visitation now allowed for some inmates in solitary confinement at Pa. jail
- N.Y. CO slashed in face with razor during inmate transfer, union says
- N.Y. CO’s union continues to push for changes to HALT solitary legislation
- N.Y. prison violence reaches all-time high with record number of assaults on staff