The Hole. A Seg. Administrative Segregation. Voluntary Control. Protective Custody.
Solitary confinement goes by many names, but let’s call it what it really is: torture.
Department of Corrections across America use it as a form of punishment and control, where individuals are kept in small, windowless cells for up to 22 to 24 hours a day, with minimal human contact or mental stimulation.
Its mistakenly justified as a means of maintaining order or dealing with dangerous individuals, the reality is much darker. Solitary confinement is not just punitive, it is a form of psychological torture with severe and long-lasting effects on one’s mind and body.
Today, I’m breaking down why solitary confinement is torture, the profound psychological and physical harm it inflicts, and why it needs to be permanently banned as a form of punishment.
What is Solitary Confinement?
Solitary confinement entails placing a prisoner in a small cell, typically with little or no human interaction. Prison is already an oppressive environment, but solitary conditions are worst and often include:
- 24-hour isolation: Prisoners are alone, with little to no opportunity to engage with others.
- Minimal sensory stimulation: People are placed in a cell with no windows, personal items, or any stimuli that could provide mental engagement or comfort. Sometimes they aren’t even allowed to have pillows or blankets.
- Limited exercise or movement: Individuals placed in solitary confinement may typically have very limited opportunities for physical exercise. If it is offered to them, it’s often restricted to an hour a day and they may still be isolated from others.
While solitary confinement is often used for short-term protection or disciplinary purposes, its long-term effects can be devastating.
The Psychological and Physical Toll of Solitary Confinement
Solitary confinement is both emotionally and mentally destructive. Take a spin on Google Scholar; you’ll find multiple peer-reviewed studies explaining that prolonged isolation causes significant psychological distress and poor health outcomes, such as the following:
1. Severe Mental Health Damage
Human beings are inherently social creatures. We are not meant to people alone. The lack of social interaction for prolonged periods can lead to significant psychological harm. Some of the mental health effects of solitary confinement include:
- Depression and Anxiety: The isolation and lack of stimulation lead to feelings of profound sadness and hopelessness. In many cases, individuals develop severe depression and anxiety disorders, unable to cope with the overwhelming sense of isolation.
- Hallucinations and Paranoia: The sensory deprivation caused by the absence of stimuli can lead to hallucinations. Some individuals report seeing things or hearing voices. Paranoia may take hold, as the person’s mind struggles to make sense of what’s happening and the distinct lack of interaction and confinement.
- Cognitive Decline: Prolonged isolation can lead to memory problems, reduced attention span, and difficulty concentrating. The lack of mental engagement and stimulation hinders cognitive function, making it harder for individuals to think clearly or process emotions.
- Suicidal Thoughts and Self-Harm: The despair and sense of helplessness experienced in solitary confinement can drive some individuals to contemplate suicide or engage in self-harm as a means of coping with the emotional pain.
Consider the movies I am Legend or Castaway. The main characters begin to crack without social interaction.
2. Physical Deterioration
While the psychological effects are often the focus, solitary confinement also has severe physical consequences for the body. The lack of physical movement, poor nutrition, and the stress of isolation can lead to:
- Chronic Health Problems: Long-term confinement can lead to muscle atrophy, weight gain or loss, and other physical ailments due to the lack of exercise and poor conditions.
- Sleep Disturbances: Individuals placed in solitary confinement often experience sleep problems, including insomnia, due to the lack of natural light and the stress of isolation. The only lights are artificial, and it can be extremely disorienting. This disruption sleep patterns and exacerbates mental health issues, making it even harder to cope.
- Immune System Weakness: The constant stress, lack of physical activity, and poor mental health take a toll on the immune system, leaving individuals more susceptible to illness. Prisons are already Petri dishes where individuals are at the mercy of the germs outsiders bring in.
3. Long-Lasting Trauma
The trauma caused by solitary confinement often extends far beyond the period of confinement itself. Many individuals who have been subjected to long periods of isolation experience long-term psychological and emotional scars, including:
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The overwhelming stress and emotional toll of solitary confinement can result in PTSD, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and heightened anxiety. Even after release from solitary, the person may continue to experience emotional and mental distress.
- Difficulty Reintegrating into Society: The lack of social interaction and mental stimulation makes it very difficult for people to reintegrate into society after leaving solitary confinement. They may struggle with basic social skills, feelings of alienation, and difficulty adjusting to normal life.
- Increased Risk of Recidivism: The psychological effects of solitary confinement can make it harder for individuals to rehabilitate. Prolonged isolation contributes to higher recidivism rates because the individual isn’t mentally unprepared for life outside prison. And sadly, even the shortest of stays can have long term consequences.
Solitary Confinement is Torture
The United Nations has recognized solitary confinement as a form of torture, particularly when it lasts for extended periods. The UN’s Mandela Rules, which outline the minimum standards for the treatment of prisoners, state that solitary confinement lasting more than 15 consecutive days should be prohibited, as the harm inflicted on the human mind and body is so severe it is considered inhumane and degrading treatment.
The European Court of Human Rights has also ruled that prolonged solitary confinement constitutes a violation of human rights. The psychological harm caused by long-term isolation, especially when used as a tool of punishment, can be so intense that it infringes upon the dignity of the individual.
Ending Solitary Confinment
Thankfully, momentum is growing around the world to end this barbaric practice. Hands down, it is ineffective and harmful practice, only serving to undermine rehabilitation efforts. Prison Unions advocating to keep the practice in place should be reminded that if they infringe on other’s rights, they could just as easily fall victim.
By infringing on one marginalized group’s rights, no one’s rights are safe.
Some alternatives to solitary confinement include:
The Need for Reform
There are multiple measures that are based on data and science that can replace these damaging practices:
- Embracing Restorative Justice Practices: Focusing on rehabilitation rather than punishment can help inmates address the root causes of their behavior, helping people get better rather than worse.
- Therapeutic Programs: Providing mental health treatment and therapy for people who struggle addresses said underlying causes of behavior.
- Positive Behavioral Reinforcement: Instead of isolating individuals, offering incentives such as good time, productivity credits, programs where people can learn and grow, or any other number of incentives rewarding good behavior, foster an cooperation, rehabilitation, and understanding. It helps make the world better when people reintegrate into society, not worse.
To create a more humane and just prison system, it is essential that we recognize solitary confinement for what it is: torture.
By focusing on rehabilitation, therapy, and restorative justice rather than medieval, punitive practices, we promote healing, reduce harm, and extend basic dignity and human rights to individuals. We no longer talk out of the side of mouths about caring abut judge and making society better, because we actively ensure that the justice system walks the walk; upholding the rights and humanity of all individuals, regardless of their background and life circumstances.
