Solitary Confinement: Alarming Trends, Misconceptions, and Why the Practice Should be Banned 

Despite recommendations, like the Nelson Mandela Rules, that call for a permanent ban on solitary confinement, over 122,000 people remain locked in solitary in the United States on any given day. This includes vulnerable populations such as juveniles, the elderly, and those with mental or physical illnesses. While many believe that solitary confinement is necessary for prison safety, studies show it actually “makes prisons less safe by inflicting psychological torture that can lead to increased aggression.” In just over a minute, our Vice President of U.S. Advocacy and Litigation Anthony Enriquez explains why it is imperative that the United States join the international community in ending the practice of solitary confinement.