The Use of Solitary Confinement and Its Effect On Mental Health

• In Event: Poster Session 2

Abstract

The United States has a significant inmate population and resorts to solitary confinement as a disciplinary measure. This tactic can cause severe psychological harm, especially if the inmate belongs to a protected class or vulnerable group. Correctional officers may abuse solitary confinement as a means of asserting power and control, mainly targeting inmates from racial minorities, women, LGBTQ+, or those with a history of mental illness. The disparity in conduct between these inmates and their counterparts creates distrust and tension between them and correctional officers. African-American and Latino inmates, in particular, are disproportionately subjected to solitary confinement compared to White inmates. This dynamic can escalate conflicts between inmates and officers, leading to heightened hostility, aggression, and an exacerbated power imbalance. Inmates can develop enduring mental health issues that stay with them long after their release, which disproportionately affects those in these vulnerable groups. To move towards a more progressive future, reforms within the criminal justice and corrections system are vital, prioritizing rehabilitation and treatment over the consistent misuse of authority and mistreatment of inmates subjected to solitary confinement.

Author

• Giovana Numa, John Jay College of Criminal Justice