In 1990, the United Nations called for the end of solitary confinement, and in 2011, a UN expert suggested that this practice could be considered a form of torture. But what exactly happens to the minds of those subjected to solitary confinement?
Solitary confinement is a practice used in supermax prisons where inmates are isolated in a single cell for 22 to 23 hours a day, often for months or even years. While some argue that this method makes prisons safer and reduces violence, it may actually increase the risk of mental health issues among prisoners. It’s estimated that up to 880,000 inmates in the U.S. are held in Special Housing Units (SHUs), which are designed for solitary confinement.
Initially, solitary confinement was intended as a short-term measure to curb violence. However, it has become a routine practice, with some prisoners spending years in isolation. A typical SHU cell is about 6 by 10 feet, equipped with only a small bed, a sink, and a toilet. Social interaction is minimal; food is delivered through a slot in the door, and video calls with family are rare. With nothing to do but stare at the ever-lit fluorescent lights, one might wonder about the impact on an inmate’s mental state.
Humans are inherently social beings. A study in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science highlighted that loneliness and social isolation can be as harmful to health as obesity. Other research, such as a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has shown that isolation can lead to anxiety, aggression, and memory issues. This is linked to a brain enzyme, five-alpha reductase type 1, crucial for producing the hormone allopregnanolone, which helps regulate stress. In socially isolated mice, this enzyme’s production dropped by 50%, potentially increasing stress hormones in the brain.
Another study in Nature Neuroscience found that social isolation led to changes in the prefrontal cortex of mice, reducing the production of white matter. This affected their emotional and cognitive behavior, making social interactions challenging when they met new mice.
Studying total social isolation and sensory deprivation, like that in solitary confinement, is difficult. You might recall the rhesus monkey experiments from the 1950s, where baby monkeys were separated from their mothers and given fake wire mothers. The same researcher later examined the effects of isolation on monkeys placed in a “pit of despair,” a metal container they couldn’t escape. After months in isolation, these monkeys showed signs of severe depression and mental distress.
This raises significant ethical questions about treating humans in similar conditions. Research indicates that prisoners in solitary confinement experience a wide range of negative effects. One study found that 91% of inmates in solitary confinement suffer from anxiety and nervousness, over 80% experience headaches, lethargy, and sleep issues, and 70% fear an impending breakdown. Psychological stress can also lead to physical consequences, with some inmates resorting to self-harm. The lack of sunlight and exercise further exacerbates physical distress.
According to psychiatrist Terry Cooper, prisoners in isolation make up just 5% of the total prison population but account for nearly half of all suicides. Some studies suggest that solitary confinement does not reduce prison violence. Research published in Quantitative Criminology found that solitary confinement did not affect the likelihood of prisoners committing violent crimes upon release. Additionally, a study in Criminal Justice and Behavior showed that removing mentally ill prisoners from solitary confinement and providing proper treatment reduced prison violence.
For a deeper understanding of solitary confinement, consider the story of Albert Woodfox, shared by our sister show Seeker. Woodfox spent over 40 years in prison, most of it in solitary confinement, highlighting the long-term impact of this practice.
What do you think about solitary confinement? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Keep visiting DNews for new episodes every day!
Engage in a structured debate where you take on roles as prison officials, psychologists, and human rights activists. Argue for or against the use of solitary confinement based on the evidence presented in the article. This will help you understand different perspectives and the complexities involved in this issue.
Analyze the case of Albert Woodfox, who spent over 40 years in solitary confinement. Discuss the psychological and social impacts of his experience. Reflect on how his story aligns with the research findings presented in the article.
Conduct a research project on the effects of solitary confinement on mental health. Use academic journals and studies mentioned in the article as starting points. Present your findings in a report or presentation to the class.
Participate in a workshop where you simulate the conditions of solitary confinement. Reflect on your emotional and psychological responses during the simulation. Discuss how this experience relates to the information in the article.
Join a panel discussion focusing on the ethical implications of solitary confinement. Consider historical experiments and current practices. Debate whether solitary confinement should be considered a form of torture and propose alternative solutions.
In 1990, the UN called for the abolition of solitary confinement, and more recently, in 2011, a UN expert stated that the practice could amount to torture. So, what is going on in the minds of those in solitary confinement?
Hi everyone, Julia here for DNews. Solitary confinement is the practice in so-called supermax prisons of holding inmates in a single cell for 22 or 23 hours a day for months or years on end. While some believe this practice makes prisons safer and reduces violence, it may actually increase the risk of mental health problems for prisoners. Some estimates suggest that the number of inmates held in what are called Special Housing Units (SHUs) might be as high as 880,000 across the U.S.
Originally, solitary confinement was used as a short-term punishment to address violence, but it is now routinely employed, with some prisoners spending years in isolation. The typical SHU cell is not much larger than a closet, measuring about 6 by 10 feet, containing only a small bed, a sink, and a toilet. Social contact is kept to a bare minimum; inmates receive their food through a slot in the door and rarely have video conferences with family. With nothing to do but stare at the fluorescent lights on the ceiling that never turn off, one has to wonder: what kind of life is that, and what does it do to the mind?
Humans are inherently social creatures. One study published in the journal *Perspectives on Psychological Science* found that loneliness and social isolation can pose as much of a health threat as obesity. Other studies, such as one published in the *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences*, have found serious psychological effects from isolation, including anxiety, aggression, and memory impairment. Researchers believe this is linked to an enzyme in the brain, five-alpha reductase type 1, which is important for producing the hormone allopregnanolone that regulates stress levels. In socially isolated mice, the production of this enzyme was reduced by 50%, potentially leading to increased stress hormones in the brain.
Another study in *Nature Neuroscience* found changes in the prefrontal cortex of socially isolated mice, where the cells responsible for producing white matter decreased their output after eight weeks of isolation. This reduction in white matter production impacted emotional and cognitive behavior, making it difficult for the animals to socialize when they encountered new mice.
Total social isolation and sensory deprivation, like that experienced in solitary confinement, are challenging to study. You might be familiar with the famous rhesus monkey experiments from the 1950s, where baby monkeys were separated from their mothers and given fake wire mothers. The same researcher later studied the effects of isolation on monkeys placed in a “pit of despair,” a metal container they could not escape. After months of solitary existence, these monkeys exhibited mental distress and signs of severe depression.
This raises serious ethical questions about the treatment of human beings in similar conditions. A review of the literature found that prisoners experience a wide range of negative effects from solitary confinement. One study indicated that a significant majority of inmates in solitary confinement suffer from serious psychological trauma, with 91% experiencing anxiety and nervousness, over 80% suffering from headaches, lethargy, and trouble sleeping, and 70% fearing an impending breakdown. There can even be physical consequences due to psychological stress, with some inmates resorting to self-harm or other harmful behaviors. The lack of sunlight and exercise can lead to additional physical distress.
According to psychiatrist Terry Cooper, prisoners in isolation account for just 5% of the total prison population but nearly half of all suicides. Some research indicates that solitary confinement does not reduce violence in prisons. A recent study published in the journal *Quantitative Criminology* found that solitary confinement did not make prisoners more or less likely to commit violent crimes upon release into the general population, challenging the argument that it enhances prison safety. Furthermore, a study in the journal *Criminal Justice and Behavior* found that removing mentally ill prisoners from solitary confinement and providing adequate treatment actually reduced prison violence.
To learn more about the experiences of those who have survived solitary confinement, our sister show Seeker tells the story of one man who spent over two-thirds of his life in isolation. Woodfox was held in solitary confinement for decades, while others were eventually released. In total, he spent over 40 years in prison, almost all of which was in solitary confinement.
What do you think about solitary confinement? Let us know in the comments below. Keep coming back to DNews; we have new episodes every day of the week!
Solitary – Referring to the state of being alone or separated from others, often used in the context of solitary confinement in prisons, which can have significant psychological effects. – In psychology, studies have shown that prolonged solitary confinement can lead to severe mental health issues, including depression and anxiety.
Confinement – The state of being restricted within certain limits, often used in the context of imprisonment or isolation, which can impact psychological well-being. – The psychological effects of confinement can include increased stress and a sense of helplessness, which are important considerations in the criminal justice system.
Isolation – The condition of being separated from others, which can have profound effects on mental health and social functioning. – Social isolation has been linked to a higher risk of mental health disorders, highlighting the importance of social connections for psychological well-being.
Mental – Relating to the mind or psychological processes, including thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. – Mental health is a critical area of study in psychology, focusing on understanding and treating conditions like depression and anxiety.
Health – The overall condition of an individual’s physical and mental well-being, often considered in terms of the absence of illness or distress. – Public health initiatives increasingly recognize the importance of mental health as a component of overall health.
Anxiety – A psychological state characterized by feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease, often about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. – Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health conditions, affecting millions of people worldwide and requiring effective therapeutic interventions.
Ethical – Relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these, particularly in the context of psychological research and practice. – Ethical considerations are paramount in psychological research to ensure the well-being and rights of participants are protected.
Distress – A state of emotional suffering or pain, which can be a response to stressors or adverse situations. – Psychological distress can manifest in various forms, including anxiety and depression, and is a key focus in therapeutic settings.
Social – Relating to society or its organization, including the interactions and relationships between individuals and groups. – Social psychology examines how individuals’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence of others.
Implications – The possible effects or consequences of an action or decision, often considered in the context of social and psychological outcomes. – The implications of social media use on mental health are a growing area of research, with studies exploring both positive and negative effects.
