Solitary Confinement: Far From Inhumane
Solitary confinement has been
around for centuries. It is put in place for prisoners who commit devastating
crimes, put other people’s lives in danger, or protection for oneself. Solitary
confinement is an isolation of a prisoner usually for 23 hours a day. Inmates
are placed in these isolation units for many reasons; as punishment, while they
are under investigation, as a mechanism for behavior modification, when
suspected of gang involvement, or as retribution for political activism (American).
There are different names for solitary confinement that have been put in place
around the country. Solitary confinement of prisoners occurs under an array of
names; isolation, control units, super-max prisons, the hole, administrative
segregation, maximum security or permanent lockdown (American). These
individuals placed in solitary confinement have limited contact with other
human beings. Isolation is humane because of the fact it protects other prisoners,
it protects the prisoned person, and it provides justice. Some people believe the United States should
ban solitary confinement due to the inhumanity; however, others feel the
protection it provides is essential.
There is a rather large amount of discussion about how solitary confinement is inhumane due to the mental instability it causes. These prisoners are alone for 23-24 hours a day. They have no human contact besides with the guards. The convicts usually commit horrible crimes, for example, murder. They most likely have a mental illness to kill an individual, but living in solitary confinement increases the possibility of a mental disorder. If the inmate does not have a mental illness they are most likely going to suffer from one after long-term separation. Extreme isolation has long been recognized as a punishment that inflicts irreversible harm upon one’s mental status (Schuessler). If solitary confinement is used as a protection method for themselves or other prisoners, is it better off for their safety?
Prisoners’ rights must be protected. Solitary confinement protects other prisoners from harm. There are many individuals that do not get along. There are also gang members fighting for their life or trying to lead gangs within jail. An abundance of inmates are in prison for committing murder. If they are spending life in prison who is to say they will not kill again. Solitary confinement is for the worst of the worst prisoners (Justice Fellowship). Inmates can be placed in isolation for a number of reasons; although, disciplinary segregation is among them the most. The prisoners are not just those that need to be protected; guards securing the prison need safety as well. It is undoubtedly necessary for some prisoners to be retained in solitary confinement to protect the safety of prison officials and other inmates (Katel). Solitary confinement in the prisons represents safety and is highly needed for control. It is not just for other inmates; however, sometimes the actual prisoner in solitary confinement.
Many inmates in prison have mental disorders. In 1998, the BJS reported there were an estimated 283,000 prison and jail inmates who suffered from mental health problems; that number is now estimated to be 1.25 million (Human). These offenders need to be protected from the prison population. Other inmates are placed on “administrative segregation” because they are mentally ill; they need protection from other prisoners (Justice Fellowship). If these prisoners already have a mental illness then why worry about solitary confinement being an issue. One in five state prisoners with mental health problems has been injured in a fight in prison, compared to one in 10 of those without (Human). This is a statistic that proves these prisoners need protection. There is no better way than solitary confinement. Other prisoners in solitary confinement need protection from gangs or people who want to harm them. Solitary confinement is a better solution than death. Inmates need to be punished for the crimes they committed; solitary confinement is one of the punishments.
Justice is provided in the means of solitary confinement. Most of the individuals in isolation have committed a major crime. Murder is a major crime and solitary confinement is a way for punishment. Solitary confinement is also used for inmates to stay until they receive the death penalty. Prison is not a free ride and if these inmates can hurt or kill another individual then they can receive the punishment necessary for the offence. Isolation provides help to the inmate, as well, by allowing them to find themselves and solve their issues.
. Isolation is humane due to the fact it protects other prisoners, it protects the prisoned person, and it provides justice. Some people believe the United States should ban solitary confinement due to the inhumanity; however, others believe the protection it provides is essential. Solitary confinement is a punishment; of course there is not a free ride after murder or another crime. Criminals need to realize that there actions have consequences and some privileges could be taken away. There is no working out, socializing, or watching TV in solitary confinement. The time given to these prisoners either saves their own life or another life. Solitary confinement is needed for control in a prison; these inmates are convicts.
By: Leah Orth
There is a rather large amount of discussion about how solitary confinement is inhumane due to the mental instability it causes. These prisoners are alone for 23-24 hours a day. They have no human contact besides with the guards. The convicts usually commit horrible crimes, for example, murder. They most likely have a mental illness to kill an individual, but living in solitary confinement increases the possibility of a mental disorder. If the inmate does not have a mental illness they are most likely going to suffer from one after long-term separation. Extreme isolation has long been recognized as a punishment that inflicts irreversible harm upon one’s mental status (Schuessler). If solitary confinement is used as a protection method for themselves or other prisoners, is it better off for their safety?
Prisoners’ rights must be protected. Solitary confinement protects other prisoners from harm. There are many individuals that do not get along. There are also gang members fighting for their life or trying to lead gangs within jail. An abundance of inmates are in prison for committing murder. If they are spending life in prison who is to say they will not kill again. Solitary confinement is for the worst of the worst prisoners (Justice Fellowship). Inmates can be placed in isolation for a number of reasons; although, disciplinary segregation is among them the most. The prisoners are not just those that need to be protected; guards securing the prison need safety as well. It is undoubtedly necessary for some prisoners to be retained in solitary confinement to protect the safety of prison officials and other inmates (Katel). Solitary confinement in the prisons represents safety and is highly needed for control. It is not just for other inmates; however, sometimes the actual prisoner in solitary confinement.
Many inmates in prison have mental disorders. In 1998, the BJS reported there were an estimated 283,000 prison and jail inmates who suffered from mental health problems; that number is now estimated to be 1.25 million (Human). These offenders need to be protected from the prison population. Other inmates are placed on “administrative segregation” because they are mentally ill; they need protection from other prisoners (Justice Fellowship). If these prisoners already have a mental illness then why worry about solitary confinement being an issue. One in five state prisoners with mental health problems has been injured in a fight in prison, compared to one in 10 of those without (Human). This is a statistic that proves these prisoners need protection. There is no better way than solitary confinement. Other prisoners in solitary confinement need protection from gangs or people who want to harm them. Solitary confinement is a better solution than death. Inmates need to be punished for the crimes they committed; solitary confinement is one of the punishments.
Justice is provided in the means of solitary confinement. Most of the individuals in isolation have committed a major crime. Murder is a major crime and solitary confinement is a way for punishment. Solitary confinement is also used for inmates to stay until they receive the death penalty. Prison is not a free ride and if these inmates can hurt or kill another individual then they can receive the punishment necessary for the offence. Isolation provides help to the inmate, as well, by allowing them to find themselves and solve their issues.
. Isolation is humane due to the fact it protects other prisoners, it protects the prisoned person, and it provides justice. Some people believe the United States should ban solitary confinement due to the inhumanity; however, others believe the protection it provides is essential. Solitary confinement is a punishment; of course there is not a free ride after murder or another crime. Criminals need to realize that there actions have consequences and some privileges could be taken away. There is no working out, socializing, or watching TV in solitary confinement. The time given to these prisoners either saves their own life or another life. Solitary confinement is needed for control in a prison; these inmates are convicts.
By: Leah Orth