The misuse of solitary confinement as a prison practice has largely gone underreported. While some states have begun reforming their use of solitary confinement, the Federal Bureau of Prisons should now follow suit.
- Solitary confinement use continues to grow and reported data on reasons for placement, due process, and rehabilitative programs are lacking.
- Physical and mental impacts of prolonged solitary confinement are antithetical to the punitive purposes of the prison system.
- Recidivism rates continue to remain unchanged as a result of releasing solitary inmates back into the general population without any intermediary process whether rehabilitative or educational.
- Policy solutions include providing more data & transparency, enhancing due process, expanding programming and privileges for those in solitary, and improving protocols to prevent suicides, violence, and corruption.