Solitary confinement is harmful to everyone, and it has particular harms to people with physical disabilities. A new report from ACLU attorney Jamelia Morgan of the National Prison Project details the harms caused to prisoners with physical disabilities by the needless use of solitary confinement. The report calls for both state-based and nationwide reforms that will help protect the rights and lives of all prisoners equally, and stop the use of solitary confinement for prisoners with physical disabilities. Learn more and read the ALCU’s report.
Solitary is inhumane; it causes and exacerbates mental illness. The lack of human contact experienced by prisoners in solitary confinement also prevents successful reintegration into society. We support the campaigns in Massachusetts and many other states to end the use of solitary confinement for all prisoners.