The Front Door to Solitary Confinement? Pretrial Detention and Impact on Likelihood of Solitary Confinement

• In Event: The Many Stakeholders in Pretrial Justice

Abstract

The collateral consequences of pretrial detention on legal case outcomes have been widely documented. Recent research has established a link between pretrial detention and subsequent prison misconduct, with longer detention periods increasing the likelihood of misconduct. This misconduct, in turn, is associated with a higher probability of being placed in solitary confinement. Consequently, there exists a possible connection between pretrial detention and the imposition of disciplinary actions, such as solitary confinement. We analyze data from the 2016 Survey of Prison Inmates (N=6,785) to examine how pretrial detention influences the chances of being placed in solitary confinement during incarceration. Using multilevel multivariate logistic regression, we model the relationship between pretrial detention and solitary confinement, while controlling for relevant variables. Preliminary findings suggest that the length of pretrial detention is marginally associated with an increased likelihood of solitary confinement (p < 0.10). These initial results underscore the potential harmful effects of pretrial detention on an individual’s criminal justice trajectory. By incorporating pretrial detention into discussions of solitary confinement, this research aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to the likelihood of solitary confinement in the prison system.

Authors

• Erin Eife, George Mason University

• Daniela Oramas Mora, George Mason University