From Solitary to the Streets: The Effect of Restrictive Housing on Recidivism

• In Event: Recidivism- What Matters

Abstract

The use of restrictive housing (or “solitary confinement”) in prisons has come under increasing scrutiny. The isolation of certain inmates for the protection of others or themselves is sometimes required, and prison administrators need a wide range of sanctions to impose for institutional misconduct to maintain order in facilities. However, many observers are questioning whether the psychological effects of long-term isolation and the lack of access to rehabilitative programming exacerbate existing behavioral problems among inmates, leaving them more likely to reoffend upon release. This study examines (a) the extent to which a cohort of released state prisoners were held in restrictive housing during their confinements, (b) whether or not they were released to the community directly from restrictive housing, and (c) whether or not these factors significantly impact the likelihood of three types of recidivism. The results reveal that time spent in restrictive housing increases the risk of supervision revocations within the first year of release, but it does not significantly increase the likelihood of arrests or convictions. Thus, rule-breaking behaviors appear to continue into the community, but not necessarily continued criminal offending.

Authors

• Valerie Clark, Minnesota Department of Corrections

• Grant Duwe, Minnesota Department of Corrections