Solitary Confinement Reform Act (S 719, 116th Congress)
The Act imposes new restrictions on the use of solitary confinement and other restrictive housing conditions for inmates, taking into account the mental health consequences of such conditions.
SciPol Summary
The Solitary Confinement Reform Act (S 719, 116th Congress) would amend various portions of the existing United States Code to address the treatment of individuals placed in solitary confinement within the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Specifically, the Act would ensure that a team of licensed mental health professionals unaffiliated with the Bureau of Prisons conducts mental health reevaluations for inmates held in solitary confinement for more than 30 days.
The reevaluation would include a confidential, face-to-face, out-of-cell interview by a licensed professional. The Director of the Bureau of Prisons would need to meet regularly with the Ombudsman to address reported civil rights violations and reduce the use of solitary confinement, including investigations of and disciplinary action against any Bureau of Prisons employees found to have engaged in misconduct.
The Bureau would also need to submit yearly reports on the use of solitary confinement, reporting the number and demographics of inmates placed in solitary confinement and the use of the procedure, such as any changes in policy, average length of stay, costs of holding inmates in solitary confinement, and mental health data.
Inmates who enter solitary confinement often have mental health issues, and research has shown that prolonged isolation in solitary confinement can exacerbate their symptoms. This has led some researchers to classify solitary confinement as a public health issue. S 719 seeks to help address the concerns related to the well-being of inmates placed in solitary confinement.