RHU is the New GP: A Content Analysis of the Evolution of Correctional Housing Policies (1970s-2024)

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

Solitary confinement in the U.S. can be traced back to the early 19th century, when it emerged as a penological strategy intended to reform inmates through isolation. This approach was soon recognized as psychologically harmful, leading to its decline in usage by the early 1900s. A resurgence occurred in the 1980s/90s, reshaping correctional housing policies. But how have the policies of solitary confinement and general population continue to evolve? Understanding this evolution is crucial amidst shifting societal norms and legal frameworks, essential for informed correctional management and the promotion of humane conditions for incarcerated individuals, while also recognizing the psychological impacts of U.S. correctional practices. This study aims to: 1) track changes in correctional housing policies, and 2) evaluate the impact of evolving policies on inmate well-being, rehabilitation prospects, and institutional dynamics. Employing a content analysis methodology, the study systematically examines a comprehensive array of policy documents spanning from the 1970s to the present day across multiple states in the United States. Through coding and thematic analysis, patterns, emergent trends, and significant turning points in housing policies will be highlighted. This presentation will offer invaluable insight for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars navigating the complexities of carceral governance and its societal ramifications.

Author

• Candice Tudor, Michigan School of Psychology