Over the last two decades, we've seen an unusual surge in
the use of solitary confinement in United States correctional facilities. This
surge is despite the talks of prison reform in favour of incarcerated
individuals and heavy criticism from medical and legal practitioners who deem
the practice inhumane and unconstitutional; Not to mention the cost of building
and operating supermax prisons up to three times more than traditional prisons.
Several studies have also suggested that supermax prisons can negatively affect
public safety.
With fiscal realities negatively impacting budgets set
aside for things like education and health, there's no better time to re-examine
the issues surrounding the topic of solitary confinement and whether it should
continue. This blog article entitled, “10 Major Issues and Solutions About Solitary Confinement in
The U.S.”
reviews some of the major issues with solitary confinement in the United States
and possible solutions and alternatives to it.
What
is Solitary Confinement?
As the name suggests, solitary confinement is a form of
imprisonment where an incarcerated individual is kept in a single cell with
little or no contact with other people. Critics of solitary confinement believe
that it is only supposed to be used under close supervision for a brief period
due to the detrimental consequences it has on prisoners' physical, social, and
mental health. However, reportedly and
to the contrary, solitary confinement has amounted to inhumane, cruel, or
degrading treatment or even torture in certain circumstances.
A
Brief History
The history of solitary confinement can be traced back to
the late 1780s when social and prison reformers promoted isolation as a more
human alternative to existing punishments. Their most significant reason for
this suggestion is that the silence of such cells can allow prisoners to
reflect on their crimes, thus leading to deep repentance and reforms. However,
it didn't take long for people to see that the practice did more harm than good
as prisoners soon began to face negative experiences like hallucinations,
depression, anxiety, agitation, panic, delusion, and confusion. By the year
1890, the practice was already falling out of favor in panel institutions,
despite its alleged genuine intentions. Again, the rapid increase of
incarceration and violence bred by prison overcrowding soon meant that solitary
confinement re-emerged as a viable option for managing prison volatility. But
it didn't take long before misuse began again, and this misuse has constantly
grown since the 1970s.
Image Source: Pixabay
Major
Issues
Some individuals end up losing their way and ending up in
jail or prison. However, not everyone who goes to jail or prison is an
unredeemable criminal and some prisoners who end up in solitary confinement end
up becoming victimized by their experience(s). As expected, there are several
reasons why critics are against solitary confinement to correct (alleged) wrongdoing.
However, these issues can broadly be categorized into two, namely:
·
Mental health issues
·
Physical health issues.
1.
Mental Health Issues
Several studies already show that solitary confinement can
cause adverse psychological effects while increasing the risk of severe harm to
inmates. One article by the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and
the Law even likened isolation to physical torture in terms of distress caused
by both.
Humans are naturally wired to live off social contacts. When denied of this social contact and subjected to isolation, a human can begin to develop several mental problems, including:
·
Stress and anxiety
·
Post-traumatic stress disorder
·
Hopelessness and depression
·
Irritability, anger, and hostility
·
Social withdrawal
·
Panic attack
·
Suicide
·
Violence outbursts
·
Self-harm.
2.
Physical Health Effects
While most studies focus on the psychological effects of
solitary confinement, we can't deny the possibility of such psychological
traumas leading to physical health issues. Available studies even show that
social isolation can increase the likelihood of death by up to 32%. Some of the
most obvious physical effects of solitary confinement include:
·
Dizziness
·
Chronic headaches
·
Digestive problems
·
Deterioration of eyesight
·
Fatigue
·
Excessive sweating
·
Joint and muscle pain
·
Weight loss
·
Appetite loss
·
Trembling hands.
Image Source: Pixabay
Possible
Actions That Can End These Issues
It's one thing to know all the issues that solitary
confinement can cause, but another thing to work towards ending these issues.
Solving these issues requires personal, corporate, and professional efforts to
solve. That said, here are some suggested solutions that will work.
·
Become pen pals with an inmate who experienced or is in
solitary confinement.
People in solitary confinement often do not have people to
call or write outside. Writing them letters and offering them a listening ear
can be the source of comfort that keeps them going. Keep in mind that
there may be restrictions at high or Supermax prisons for prisoners in solitary
confinement.
·
Invite released inmates with solitary confinement experience
to speak at community events.
If you're a member of a volunteer association, book club,
community forum, or any other group, then consider organizing public events and
inviting someone with solitary confinement experience to come and speak. They
can share their experiences and may be able to offer invaluable tips to help
others cope with similar conditions or discourage someone from becoming
incarcerated.
·
Organize programs targeted at mental health awareness in
prisons.
You don't need to be a psychologist or a mental health
expert to organize such programs. One strategy that always works is organizing
such programs and inviting experts to speak. Some experts may be happy to
partner with you in organizing such events.
·
Hold locally elected officials responsible for reforms.
Most states leave the control of county jails in the hands
of local sheriffs. You can write your local sheriff or attend town hall
meetings where you can encourage them to ban solitary confinement in local
jails. You can also support people with good agendas to push for more favorable
support for prison reform.
·
Invest in the furtherance of local prisoners' rights.
There are available groups dedicated to protecting the
rights of inmates. Research and contact these groups in your locality and
invest some of your resources and time in helping them further their cause.
·
Ask politicians about their stand on solitary confinement.
State governments and other politicians significantly
influence who gets appointed to head state prisons. These politicians are
always ready to listen and answer questions during campaigns. Make efforts to
ask them about their stand on solitary confinement. Ensure the commitment of
your governor in appointing officials that will focus on reforming solitary
confinement laws.
Image Source: Pixabay
Conclusion
That's it – We’ve touched on some of the major issues
surrounding solitary confinement in the United States. We've also suggested some
actions that can help reduce the impact of this confinement on solitary
confinement victims. The conditions of solitary confinement can be quite
severe, and it's not surprising that concerned critics are calling for its
complete eradication.
References
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/solitary-confinement-effects#definition
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/10/solitary
https://www.aclu.org/report/dangerous-overuse-solitary-confinement-united-states
https://www.vanderbiltabstract.org/post/solitary-confinement-reforming-a-broken-system
https://www.npr.org/2022/08/05/1115885434/angola-three-albert-woodfox-dies#:~:text=via%20Getty%20Images-,Albert%20Woodfox%20was%20a%20former%20member%20of%20the%20Black%20Panthers,Penitentiary%20for%20over%2043%20years.