Solitary confinement is used to keep dangerous inmates away from other inmates and corrections staff. Typical solitary confinement consists of twenty-three hours in the cell and one hour of time-out in the open every day.
Prison officials must take into account the health and welfare of inmates in solitary confinement. Long-term solitary confinement can be psychologically challenging for the inmates because of a lack of human interaction. There is significant monotony, with very little outside activity. Therefore, there should be appropriate mental health support for these inmates, in addition to increased inspections and routine rounds by medical staff.
These considerations need to be weighed against the need for maintaining administrative management, disciplinary control, and prisoner protection.
Submission Details:
In a minimum of 250 words, post to theDiscussion Area your responses to the following:
Discuss the mental effects of solitary confinement and possible long-term problems.
Discuss some procedures that could be implemented to ensure the psychological health of prisoners in solitary confinement.
Explain why it is important that we consider the mental health of prisoners in solitary confinement.