Bill Overview
Title: Solitary Confinement Study and Reform Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes the National Solitary Confinement Study and Reform Commission to study the impact of solitary confinement on governments, communities, and social institutions. Additionally, the bill (1) directs the Department of Justice to publish national standards to reduce solitary confinement in correctional facilities; and (2) authorizes grants for community-based prevention and education programs, community-based mental health care, or community-based drug treatment or harm reduction.
Sponsors: Rep. Trone, David J. [D-MD-6]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals and communities impacted by solitary confinement and its reform
Estimated Size: 1000000
- Solitary confinement is predominantly used within correctional facilities, affecting inmates and prison staff.
- The United States has one of the world's highest incarceration rates, with approximately 1.8 million people in prisons and jails.
- It is estimated that 20% of U.S. prisoners have experienced solitary confinement.
- The reform and standards suggested by this bill would likely impact not only those currently in solitary confinement but also those at risk of being placed there in the future.
- Community-based programs addressing mental health and drug treatment can affect broader communities beyond just inmates, including family members and neighborhoods.
- The bill's focus on national standards means the effects would be widespread across all states in the U.S.
Reasoning
- Focusing on those directly affected by solitary confinement and associated community programs, interviewees include individuals who have experienced solitary confinement, correctional officers, and family members.
- Some participants have no direct contact with this environment but might be affected indirectly via changes in mental health facility access.
- The impact on families and community support structures is critical and often underestimated.
- Given the budget constraints, initial focus on high-impact and cost-efficient reforms and programs is necessary.
- Considering the ripple effect of enhanced community programs, anticipated impacts extend beyond immediate prisoners to include broader community health and cohesion.
Simulated Interviews
Former inmate (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Solitary confinement was one of the hardest parts of my sentence.
- I think reform is necessary to prevent long-term mental health issues.
- If the system had better community support, fewer would re-offend.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 2 |
Correctional officer (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Managing inmates in solitary is stressful for all parties involved.
- Reforms could improve working conditions for us as well.
- National standards would help in understanding and handling situations better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Social worker (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Community programs are vital for reintegration.
- The grants can enhance our capacity to support ex-inmates and their families.
- Reform can lead to a healthier society at large.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Mental health counselor (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 49 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The mental health impacts of solitary confinement are severe and long-lasting.
- Reforms are crucial to reduce the stress on families and individuals.
- Community mental health provisions are a step in the right direction.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Retired (Houston, Texas)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Parental incarceration deeply affects children in schools.
- Through community programs, we can mitigate negative outcomes.
- Evidence-based reforms in solitary confinement are needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
Graduate student (Brooklyn, New York)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen firsthand that solitary confinement can destroy lives.
- This bill's approach could be a model for dealing with other issues.
- Education on these topics is essential for making lasting societal change.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Public health official (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 52 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Public health must incorporate reform strategies like these.
- Community grants can lead to sustainable improvements.
- Collaboration with correctional facilities is challenging but crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Community organizer (New Orleans, Louisiana)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill validates much of the advocacy work done over the years.
- Solitary confinement reform is a critical component of fair justice.
- Communities need these resources to build resilience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Substance abuse counselor (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Solitary often exacerbates substance abuse problems pre-release.
- Integrated reform could see a drop in relapse rates post-incarceration.
- These policies should shape future correctional practices.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Attorney (St. Louis, Missouri)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Solitary confinement is an abuse of the justice system.
- This commission is a step towards necessary comprehensive reform.
- Legal standards need updates alongside thesepolicies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Year 2: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Year 3: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Year 5: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Year 10: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Year 100: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Key Considerations
- The implementation of national standards will require extensive collaboration across federal and state correctional systems.
- The cultural shift needed at correctional facilities to reduce solitary confinement may face resistance and require ongoing training and oversight.
- Community-based interventions can be variable in effectiveness based on local context and implementation strategies.