Ending solitary confinement in the US: Current state and next steps

• In Event: Issues and Challenges in the Carceral Environment

Abstract

Solitary confinement is one of the most consistently researched prison practices. This presentation will go through findings from a Prison Research and Innovation Initiative brief that synthesize the extensive research on solitary confinement, identify areas for continuing research, and highlight policy and practice reforms. After reviewing extensive research, this scan found that the overwhelming amount of research proves that solitary confinement is psychologically and physiologically damaging and has negative outcomes on the safety of people in prison and the public through increased recidivism rates. This presentation will offer directions for how to reform and effectively retire the use of solitary confinement in an effort to improve the health and safety of those in prisons and the general public.

Author

• Andreea Matei, Urban Institute