Brief Solitary Confinement in US Prisons
Andreea Matei
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Solitary confinement is one of the most consistently researched prison practices. This brief synthesizes the extensive research on solitary confinement, identifies areas for continuing research, and highlights policy and practice reforms. After reviewing extensive research, this scan found that the overwhelming amount of research proves that solitary confinement is psychologically and physiologically damaging and has negative outcomes on the safety of people in prison and the public through increased recidivism rates. Based on these results, carceral agencies should end their use of solitary confinement if they wish to improve the health and safety of those in prisons and the general public.

Research Areas Crime, justice, and safety Race and equity
Tags Corrections Evidence-based policy capacity Mass incarceration Public health Racial and ethnic disparities in criminal justice Structural racism Trauma-informed approaches Incarcerated adults Prisons Mental health Mental health crisis response Incarceration
Policy Centers Justice Policy Center
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