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Prisons' Use of Solitary Confinement Explodes with the COVID-19 Pandemic, While Advocates Push for Alternatives

Jean Casella Katie Rose Quandt

April 10, 2020 |

Solitary Watch |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Louisiana

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues on, prisons are having to figure out ways to keep it from spreading across inmate populations. A popular response has been cell lockdowns, drawing criticism from advocacy organizations and judges across the country. Being compared to solitary confinement, which takes extreme physical and mental tolls on individuals, groups like Amend, the Vera Institute, and the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture are offering alternative plans that are less punitive while still protecting those experiencing incarceration.

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Pennsylvania will no longer hold death-row prisoners in endless solitary confinement

Samantha Melamed

November 18, 2019 |

The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network) |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Following an ACLU-led civil-rights lawsuit, the Pennsylvania Department of Correction has implemented huge changes to the treatment of death row inmates. In prisons across the state, individuals who have been sentenced to death no longer have to undergo strip searches, are allowed to have contact visitations with family and friends, can apply for prison employment, and socialize with others in their unit.

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Reimagining New York Jails Without Solitary Confinement

Reuven Blau Rosa Goldensohn

August 19, 2019 |

The City |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, New York, New York

Solitary confinement was once thought of as one of the only effective punishments for violent prison inmates. As more research surfaces showing the severe damage it does to mental health, the racial bias of those placed in solitary, and its relative ineffectiveness, more cities, like New York City, are exploring alternatives to the practice. In places such as Denver, Chicago, and San Francisco, rather than invoking a punitive approach, city officials are offering positive reinforcement – and seeing positive results.

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As Alabama grapples with solitary confinement, other states offer blueprints for change

Melissa Brown

March 24, 2019 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Montgomery, Alabama

The use of solitary confinement, or administrative segregation, in prisons is facing pushback across the country. In Alabama, a federal judge tasked the Department of Corrections to investigate how other states are reforming their use of solitary confinement – especially for those with mental health concerns. Recognizing that isolation often leads to increased bad behavior, states such as North Dakota and Colorado have placed stronger limitations on the use and deployment of administrative segregation.

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North Dakota Prison Officials Think Outside The Box To Revamp Solitary Confinement

Cheryl Corley

July 31, 2018 |

NPR |

Radio |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, North Dakota

Prison officials in North Dakota have revamped solitary confinement, inspired in part by Norway's system, which focuses on “punishment that works.” There is much less focus on using isolation to punish small infractions and more emphasis on mental health and helping inmates learn new skills to change behavior. The shift has reduced tensions between guards and prisoners, fostering better relationships and less disruptive behavior and suicide attempts by inmates.

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Sacramento's Quest to End Solitary Confinement for Kids

Molly McCluskey

April 05, 2018 |

Pacific Standard |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sacramento, California

Solitary Confinement on youth can be extremely emotionally damaging. The practice is also costly, and can lead to expensive lawsuits. Yet, a slew of states and youth detention centers are trying to reduce the time young people spend in solitary confinement. In the Sacramento Juvenile Detention, one program is doing that.

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Last Days of Solitary

Lauren Mucciolo Dan Edge

April 18, 2017 |

PBS Frontline |

Documentary |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Warren, Maine

Across the United States, the use of administrative segregation is being rethought and reduced, as study after study shows it’s link to higher rates of violence and recidivism. At Maine State Prison, over the course of six years, the number of people in solitary went from 100 to 8, while also seeing a decline in fights, use of weapons, and emergency room transportation in the prison’s general population. The prison has instead started implementing individualized mental health programming and structured living units – opting to implement rehabilitation over punitive measures.

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A tale of two states: Wisconsin trails Colorado as both cut solitary confinement

Dee J. Hall

June 12, 2016 |

Wisconsin Watch |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Solitary confinement has long been shown to exacerbate mental health problems and is considered to be inhumane for long periods of time. Colorado is taking steps to reduce the amount of time prisoners spend in isolation, and Wisconsin is looking to do the same.

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How to Get Out of Solitary — One Step at a Time

Maurice Chammah

January 07, 2016 |

The Marshall Project |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Alger, Michigan

New programs aim to ease inmates out of years of solitary confinement by passing them through different "stages," each with different behavioral requirements and rewards. It's an approach that allows inmates to gradually gain more control over their lives.

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Prisons Rethink Isolation, Saving Money, Lives and Sanity

Erica Goode

March 10, 2012 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Mississippi

A positive transformation in a Mississippi prison has become a focal point for a growing number of states rethinking the use of long-term isolation. Humanitarian groups have long argued that solitary confinement has devastating psychological effects, but a central driver in the recent shift is economics. Some officials have also been persuaded by research suggesting that isolation is vastly overused and that it does little to reduce overall prison violence.

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