Solitary Confinement: Going Down the Rabbit Hole

Abstract

For many years, solitary confinement has been a contentious correctional intervention. This column explores the evidence that solitary confinement harms mental health, and reviews some of the international and local perspectives on the practice. Recommendations are made to end solitary confinement, contending that this is to the benefit of prisoners and prisons, as well as the communities to which prisoners will return. Solitary confinement is increasingly subject to opprobrium from health professionals and representative organisations, as well as being the subject of more rigorous recommendations in international instruments. The column proposes greater involvement of mental health professionals, systemic research to reduce solitary confinement, and programs of external review and scrutiny. Such measures are consistent with international instruments and would bring Australia into line with contemporary thinking about conditions of incarceration.