Solitary Confinement in Prison: The Pros and Cons

Published May 23, 2023

Throughout history, humanity has come up with many ways to punish criminals. Punishments used to be incredibly harsh. But as we discovered the principle of human rights, these disciplinary actions became a lot tamer. That was also the time when solitary confinement was introduced as an alternative to physical abuse.

Unfortunately, while it’s not as harsh or brutal a punishment as the ones dished out in the past, people often disregard its psychological impact on inmates.

Today, we take a closer look at solitary confinement, its pros, cons, and risks it may have to the modern prisoner. Let’s start with a brief overview of what solitary confinement entails for an inmate.

What is Solitary Confinement?

Solitary confinement is a form of punishment where they isolate an individual from any form of human contact.

It was originally designed to lock away a person in a cell where only they reside. No books, furnishings, or any other objects, and most certainly no other humans. The cells would also often have no windows to prevent light.

In addition, these cells would be as small as a porta-potty, approximately 14 square feet in size.

However, solitary confinement as a punishment became frowned upon by the general public. When that happened, though solitary confinement wasn’t abolished, the conditions for it became much, much better.

For instance, modern cells dedicated to solitary confinement are now as big as the regular prison cell. In some cases, they may even be as big as a school bus (280 square feet). The size can depend on several factors.

If the solitary confinement punishment exceeds 10 hours, for example, the cell must be 80 square feet in size.

Needless to say, there have been many changes to solitary confinement as a whole. And now, it makes sense to think of it as a solution rather than a problem, especially with the advantages it can bring to prison systems.

Pros of Solitary Confinement

#1. Deterrence

The mere existence of solitary confinement as punishment is enough to deter any sane inmate from violating prison rules. It only takes word of mouth to let people who haven’t gotten this punishment know it’s bad.

Ironically enough, the controversial nature of solitary confinement regarding its inhumanity is what’s saving inmates from making the mistake of suffering from it.

#2. Disruption

Like most places, the prison also has politics.

Gangs, in particular, have a massive impact on the atmosphere inside the prison system. And in many cases, when gang-related activities become increasingly intense, the prison in its entirety gets filled with violence.

Solitary confinement provides guards an option to hopefully curb gang-related activity and, in turn, violence.

They simply have to isolate gang leaders, and they should at least be able to minimize damages.

#3. Safety

Apart from gang leaders, solitary confinement also works effectively in isolating high-profile and violent inmates.

The presence of these inmates alone can negatively impact the atmosphere in the prison system. As such, isolating them significantly boosts the safety inside the facility.

Of course, correctional officers cannot simply dish out solitary confinement just like that.

These inmates, however, unsurprisingly never fail to violate rules that would get them in solitary confinement.

Simply put, solitary confinement aims to punish as few people as possible for the sake of the entire prison population. Isolating a gang leader, for example, should improve the overall atmosphere in the prison.

The problem is what comes after the punishment as far as the isolated inmate is concerned.

Cons of Solitary Confinement

#1. Psychological Distress

The cons of solitary confinement revolve around its effects on an isolated inmate.

Psychological distress like anxiety, hallucination, and depression that lasts for an entire month or even a year is just the start.

#2. Ineffective Rehabilitation Tool

Prisons were originally designed for rehabilitation.