Solitary Confinement: Destroying the Hope of the Prisoner

We've seen the dramatization of the technique. We've watched television shows and movies that throw characters into 'the hole.' But in reality, life in solitary confinement can be death by incarceration.

The use of solitary confinement began in 1983 after the murder of a correction officer. The warden placed mandatory 'lockdown' on all prisoners for 23 hours of the day to minimize attacks. Since then, some maximum security prisons have adopted this technique for their highest-risk prisoners. Essentially, the prisoners are kept in a cell usually no larger than a bathroom for 23 hours of the day, with the only respite being one hour of 'recreation' in a caged pen usually no larger than, as Laura Sullivan of NPR says, "the width and length of two cars."

Now, in order to frame this criticism it's important to review these offenders in solitary confinement. The World Trade Center bombings in 1998 were masterminded by Ramzi Yousef, who subsequently was convicted and sentenced to 240 years in prison to be served entirely in solitary confinement. His act of terrorism is certainly deserving of his punishment, and he should never be allowed to feel freedom again. While not all prisoners are terrorists, most have committed violent, heinous acts like first-degree murder, rape, and violence against children. But, while these are often the worst offenders, they are usually not sentenced immediately to solitary. The 'hole' is generally reserved for crimes committed within the prison walls.

The effect of solitary confinement does in some respects help to reduce violence in prisons. But, some studies have shown that this tactic has been ineffective in preventing crimes outside the prisons that are often coordinated and executed by incarcerated prisoners--often crimes which are punishable by solitary. The effect on the human being, however, is far more intrusive. Prisoners are often neglected and abused, deprived of food and toilet paper, and ridiculed by staff. Many prisoners have developed mental illnesses due to their time in solitary. Helen Roberts, a prisoner with solitary experience, was given psychotropic drugs to help with her psychological problems, but was then left medically unsupervised--a situation strictly forbidden when administering these drugs. In turn, Roberts was left to fend for herself when she experienced violent mood swings, unstable behavior, and constant depression.

While these prisoners must endure extremely tough physical and mental duress, another problem has emerged. As stated, most of the prisoners in solitary confinement were put there due to crimes committed in the prison itself. After these prisoners have served their sentences and become eligible for parole, many CO's and wardens are filing new cases against these prisoners for the very crimes for which they were confined to solitary. The future for these prisoners is bleak as they are faced with ever-consuming charges. Most begin to lose hope as they are ex-communicated from their families, their fellow prisoners, and their lives.

When these prisoners are released, it's often mismanaged. It's not rare for a prisoner who has been serving years in solitary confinement to be released into society without any re-introduction program. What follows is a process that seems to set up the ex-convicts to continue a life of crime. Many are ostracized by their families, cannot get jobs with criminal records, and are simply broke. It's not a large leap to jump back into crime.

What is necessary is another look at this type of incarceration. The Constitution prohibits cruel and unusual punishment. If being locked in a two cages for 24 hours a day, without proper medical care, or without access to basic human rights isn't cruel and usual, I'm not sure what is. Similarly, the parole process should be reevaluated. These ex-convicts are not being rehabilitated through this transition. There must be oversight and evaluation in order to properly assimilate these former prisoners into productive, successful lives.