“It’s an evil. Solitary confinement is the most torturous experience a human being can be put through in prison. It’s punishment without ending” –Albert Woodfox, served 43 years in Solitary Confinement.
“Basically I lived in a tomb…I lost the will to live sitting in that tomb…you’re dead, you’re just dead.” –Brian Nelson, served 23 years in Solitary Confinement.
Enclosing inmates in isolated cells for extended periods of time with severe restrictions in privileges is a popular disciplinary tactic utilized in the North American prison systems, along with many other countries worldwide. While the utilization of solitary confinement remains prevalent, many individuals intensely oppose the practice. Typical conditions of solitary confinement …show more content…
As mentioned previously, punitive segregation is the act of using solitary confinement as disciplinary action/punishment.2 Many prison officials maintain punitive segregation is a critical way guards retain authority over threatening inmates. Additionally, some contend that solitary confinement sustains prison security by controlling inmates who may pose a threat to other inmates, prison staff, or themselves. Solitary confinement also sustains community security outside of the prison as intensified security measures reduce risk of escape. Some prisoners may voluntarily choose isolation in order to protect themselves from other inmates. These individuals, such as rapists, child-molesters or murderers, are more likely to face attacks from other inmates and therefore many believe solitary confinement is a viable option in allowing them to serve out their sentences …show more content…
A practice that has been utilized as a form of torture3 must certainly contain elements of cruelty. Although solitary confinement may have been established with positive intentions, the continuance of its use in spite of a plethora of evidence uncovering its detrimental effects constitutes it as inhumane. Not only can solitary confinement be defined as cruel and unusual, but also cases like Brian Nelson’s where the reasoning and timeframe of sentence is unclear violates section 11a which states that in criminal and penal matters, individuals have the right “to be informed without reasonable delay of the specific
“Basically I lived in a tomb…I lost the will to live sitting in that tomb…you’re dead, you’re just dead.” –Brian Nelson, served 23 years in Solitary Confinement.
Enclosing inmates in isolated cells for extended periods of time with severe restrictions in privileges is a popular disciplinary tactic utilized in the North American prison systems, along with many other countries worldwide. While the utilization of solitary confinement remains prevalent, many individuals intensely oppose the practice. Typical conditions of solitary confinement …show more content…
As mentioned previously, punitive segregation is the act of using solitary confinement as disciplinary action/punishment.2 Many prison officials maintain punitive segregation is a critical way guards retain authority over threatening inmates. Additionally, some contend that solitary confinement sustains prison security by controlling inmates who may pose a threat to other inmates, prison staff, or themselves. Solitary confinement also sustains community security outside of the prison as intensified security measures reduce risk of escape. Some prisoners may voluntarily choose isolation in order to protect themselves from other inmates. These individuals, such as rapists, child-molesters or murderers, are more likely to face attacks from other inmates and therefore many believe solitary confinement is a viable option in allowing them to serve out their sentences …show more content…
A practice that has been utilized as a form of torture3 must certainly contain elements of cruelty. Although solitary confinement may have been established with positive intentions, the continuance of its use in spite of a plethora of evidence uncovering its detrimental effects constitutes it as inhumane. Not only can solitary confinement be defined as cruel and unusual, but also cases like Brian Nelson’s where the reasoning and timeframe of sentence is unclear violates section 11a which states that in criminal and penal matters, individuals have the right “to be informed without reasonable delay of the specific