A wHOLE Mess: The Detrimental Effects of Solitary Confinement

The detrimental effects of solitary confinement on an inmates physical and mental health cannot be overstated. The conditions of being isolated in a small room with no mobility, no communication with loved ones, and no interaction with other individuals are deeply harmful and add an extra burden of stress. It is no surprise that a significant number of suicides behind bars occur in solitary confinement. Anxiety, depression, worry and psychosis are rampant in these conditions, leading to irreversible consequences. Solitary confinement is a dehumanizing practice that must be addressed.

Instead of providing proper treatment for inmates with mental health issues, they are often sent a solitary confinement, and the problem is ignored by keeping them restrained. While segregation may be necessary for certain violent individuals, it is now being misused as a way to manage the lack of bed space. Unfortunately, this means that inmates face all the negative effects of solitary confinement, even when they are not the ones being punished.

Losing one’s freedom is already a significant loss, but subjecting inmates to solitary confinement is an additional violation of their human rights and an abuse of power by those in charge. Many people on the outside are unaware of what goes on behind bars and the injustices being done to the inmates. This lack of awareness perpetuates the suffering that occurs within the prison system.

Inmates are forced to adapt as best they can, and often become something they are not to survive in such harsh conditions. It becomes a matter of “eat or be eaten,” creating a toxic and dangerous environment that further exacerbates the already difficult circumstances of incarceration.

Addressing the issue of solitary confinement and implementing more humane and effective approaches to managing inmates is essential. Society must strive for a prison system that permits rehabilitation, addresses mental health issues, and respects the dignity and human rights of all individuals, even those who have committed crimes. By doing so, we can work towards a more just and compassionate criminal justice system.