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Solitary confinement has been under attack by prison reformers for some time now, as it has become increasingly apparent that the process can have long term, negative effects on inmates, especially if used extensively.
The American prison system has come to rely heavily on solitary confinement, nominally a non-violent punishment for prisoners who are deemed dangerous to others or themselves. It has, however, become a common response to a wide variety of unapproved behaviors.
More than simply a “time out,” solitary confinement can sometimes last for days, weeks, or even months.
The corrections system is supposedly geared toward rehabilitating inmates so they can eventually leave incarceration and be productive members of society. Punitive segregation does not help that process. Studies have shown that segregating one person from human contact, from any kind of socialization, is not healthy, and it can have deleterious effects on the mental health and personality of the segregated individual.
These impacts can be even harder on younger inmates. This is why New York City jails stopped using punitive segregation for 16 and 17-year-old inmates in 2014. The city has continued to push back the age limit on solitary confinement until it reached its current limit of 21.
New York City Corrections Commissioner Joseph Ponte said, “Our ending of punitive segregation today is founded upon thoughtful evaluation, flexibility, and adjustments with the needs and safety concerns of staff and young adults front and center.”
This does not end the use of solitary confinement for all inmates in the New York City jail system, but it is a start, and will likely serve as a pilot program for other cities and states. New York is leading the way, and perhaps this will set the standard for the nation as a whole.
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