The Effects of Solitary Confinement on Prisoners

Abstract

Solitary confinement is being placed in a cell for a 23-hour period of time. It got its start early in American history. Solitary confinement can be split into two systems, Auburn and Pennsylvania System, both with varying objectives for the inmates. Solitary confinement can cause mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis, among other distressing mental health issues. The number of people placed in solitary confinement is hard to determine, State-by-state data gives a finer, but not complete, set of data. The difference in suicide rate between prisoners in solitary confinement and those who are not was 42 percent more in solitary confinement.

Various treaties describe how solitary confinement needs to be met with standards other prisoners are guaranteed, such as ventilation and proper amounts of light. Rulings of the Supreme Court have come to an understanding of solitary confinement and its harms. They have yet to strike it down as a violation of the law. The cycle of solitary confinement and inmates is explained along with some definitions of common mental health conditions that could contribute to someone being placed into solitary confinement. Two studies are laid out discussing the harmful effects of solitary confinement, and proposals from other groups are offered in how they think solitary confinement should be managed or fixed. Various reforms are discussed along with the international guiding statement on solitary confinement, which combines medical and scientific views on solitary confinement into one cohesive document.


Year Manuscript Completed

Spring 2024

Senior Project Advisor

Dr. Tricia Jordan

Degree Awarded

Bachelor of Integrated Studies Degree

Field of Study

Commerce & Leadership

Document Type

Thesis

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