Solitary Confinement: The Hidden Crisis in Prisons

Updated: Sep 3

Solitary confinement is often portrayed as a necessary tool in prisons—used to maintain order, punish misconduct, or protect vulnerable prisoners.

However, beneath the surface, it is a psychologically destructive practice that breaks social bonds, increases mental illness, and damages rehabilitation efforts.

For centuries, monks have practiced Monastic Silence as a tool for self-reflection and peace. In contrast, prison isolation is a tool of control, often leaving prisoners in a state of mental and emotional collapse. Solitary confinement is widely used in the UK, the US, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world, despite mounting evidence that it does more harm than good.

This blog examines what solitary confinement really is, its purpose, the UK’s prison rules, its psychological damage, its effect on families and the prison community, its links to radicalisation, and its long-term consequences post-release.

What is Solitary Confinement?

Solitary confinement is the practice of isolating a prisoner for 22 or more hours a day, often with little to no human contact. It is sometimes called protective housing, administrative segregation, or temporary confinement.

While some prisoners request isolation for safety reasons, the reality is that most prisoners placed in solitary confinement suffer severe consequences, both mentally and physically.

The conditions in solitary cells vary, but common characteristics include:

Minimal human interaction (often limited to brief conversations with guards).
A small, windowless cell with only a bed, toilet, and sink.
Restricted access to books, TV, and legal materials.
One hour of exercise per day, often in an isolated area.
Limited or no phone calls or visits from family and friends.

Despite the widespread use of solitary confinement, numerous studies have shown that it does not deter crime, improve prison safety, or rehabilitate prisoners. Instead, it worsens existing mental health problems and increases recidivism rates.

What is the Purpose of Solitary Confinement?

Prison authorities justify the use of solitary confinement for several key reasons:

To Maintain Order: Prisoners who assault staff, incite riots, or pose a security risk are often placed in isolation to control their behaviour.
As Punishment: Solitary is used as discipline for rule violations such as fighting, smuggling contraband, or refusing orders.
For Protection: Vulnerable prisoners, including those at risk of gang violence, sex offenders, and high-profile prisoners like Tommy Robinson, are sometimes placed in solitary for their own safety.
To Prevent Radicalisation: Extremist groups are known to recruit inside prisons, and some prisoners are isolated to prevent them from influencing others

However, solitary confinement often does more harm than good, with long-term negative effects far outweighing the perceived benefits.

UK Prison Rules on Solitary Confinement

In the UK, segregation (commonly referred to as solitary confinement) is regulated under the Prison Rules 1999. A prisoner may be removed from association with others for up to 72 hours for reasons such as maintaining good order and discipline or for their own protection.

Any extension beyond 72 hours requires approval by a more senior official. After 14 days, the case must be reviewed by the Director (or their representative on behalf of the Secretary of State). After 21 days, a multidisciplinary review must take place — involving a governor and healthcare professional — to assess whether continued segregation is justified.

While these procedures are in place, human rights organisations and inspectors have repeatedly raised concerns about the actual use and oversight of prolonged segregation in UK prisons — particularly regarding the impact on mental health and the potential breach of international standards such as the UN Mandela Rules.

What Prisoners in Segregation Are Entitled To

Prisoners placed in segregation are entitled to certain basic rights, even under restricted conditions. These include:

Limited access to reading materials, such as books, religious texts, and legal documents.
One hour of outdoor exercise and fresh air per day, though reports consistently show that this is not always provided.
Regular meals and access to drinking water.
Restricted access to phone calls and family visits, which may be further limited or denied in disciplinary cases.

Despite these legal protections, numerous inspection reports and advocacy groups have documented cases of prisoners being held in segregation for months — and in some instances, years — with minimal human contact, severely restricted activities, and little oversight. Prolonged solitary confinement has been repeatedly criticised by health experts and international bodies as inhumane, and may breach the United Nations’ Mandela Rules, which define solitary confinement lasting more than 15 consecutive days as a form of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

Close Supervision Centres (CSCs):The Most Extreme Form

In addition to segregation under Rule 45, around 50 prisoners in England and Wales are held in Close Supervision Centres (CSCs) — the most restrictive prison regime in the UK. Prisoners in CSCs may be confined in near-total isolation for up to 24 hours per day, with little to no meaningful human interaction, education, or rehabilitative support.

These individuals are usually considered high-risk or high-profile, yet the conditions they endure have drawn serious criticism. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have warned that CSCs mirror prolonged solitary confinement and may breach international standards — particularly the UN Mandela Rules.

Legal Challenges and Oversight

Several legal challenges have exposed the lack of oversight in UK segregation practices. A landmark case involved terrorism suspects Kamel Bourgass and Tanvir Hussain, who were held in solitary for nearly six months without proper authorisation beyond the 21-day limit set by Prison Rules.

In 2015, the UK Supreme Court ruled that their extended isolation breached lawful procedures under Rule 45, stating that such conditions could not be justified without rigorous and ongoing review. This case underlined the urgent need for clear accountability in all instances of long-term segregation.

Source: Bourgass and Hussain v Secretary of State for Justice [2015] UKSC 54

The Nelson Mandela Rules

The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) set clear international standards for the humane treatment of prisoners. These rules emphasise that:

Solitary confinement should be a last resort and used only in exceptional cases.
Prolonged solitary confinement (more than 15 days) is a form of torture and should be prohibited.
Prisoners must have access to books, fresh air, and meaningful human contact to maintain mental well-being.
Solitary confinement should never be used for vulnerable prisoners, including those who are mentally ill, juveniles, or pregnant women.

Are the Nelson Mandela Rules Legally Enforceable in the UK? No, they are not legally binding in the UK. The UK government is not required by law to follow them, but they serve as a benchmark for best practices in human rights and prison management.

However, the UK is a member of the UN and has agreed to uphold human rights standards, meaning UK prisons should strive to meet these principles. As noted above, prolonged solitary confinement is considered a form of torture under these international standards and should be prohibited.

The Global Use of Solitary Confinement

Solitary confinement is not just a UK or US issue—it is a global human rights crisis.

Robert Stroud: The Birdman of Alcatraz

One of the most famous cases of long-term solitary confinement is Robert Stroud, known as the "Birdman of Alcatraz."

Stroud spent approximately 42 years in solitary confinement, including time at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary and Alcatraz. Despite the harsh conditions, there is no conclusive evidence that he suffered severe mental breakdowns.

Instead, prison records describe him as alert and intellectually engaged, even authoring works on ornithology while in isolation (Britannica, NotFrisco2).While Stroud was an exception, evidence suggests, most prisoners held in long-term solitary confinement do experience severe psychological deterioration, including hallucinations, depression, and suicide risk.

Afghanistan

Prisoners have been held in total isolation for months or years, often subjected to torture, starvation, and inhumane conditions.

United States

The New Mexico Prison Riot (1980) was directly linked to excessive use of solitary confinement, with prisoners rebelling against extreme isolation and brutal treatment.

Psychological Damage and the Effect on Families

Psychological Effects on Prisoners

Prisoners held in solitary confinement experience severe psychological distress, often displaying symptoms of anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations. Prisoners often report hearing voices, experiencing disorientation, and developing extreme sensitivity to light and sound. In many cases, these symptoms mirror those of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), leaving prisoners mentally scarred for life.

At HMP Woodhill, known as the UK’s “suicide prison,” more than 30 prisoners died by suicide in just seven years, with many of them having been held in prolonged solitary confinement. Studies show that prisoners in solitary are six times more likely to attempt suicide than those in general population.

The Impact on Families

The effects of solitary confinement extend beyond the prisoners themselves—families also suffer immensely. The severely restricted visits and communication leave family members feeling powerless and emotionally drained. Many report experiencing similar trauma to the prisoner, particularly when a loved one is held in isolation for extended periods.

Children of prisoners in solitary often suffer the most, struggling with feelings of abandonment, confusion, and distress. With a parent absent and unable to communicate, their emotional and psychological development is deeply affected.

Solitary confinement does not just punish the prisoner—it punishes their entire family.

The Effects on the Prison Community

Solitary confinement is often used as a tool to control and discipline prisoners, but in reality, it can destabilise the entire prison environment.

Prisoners in general population form survival friendships—solitary cuts them off from their support system.
Returning from solitary is difficult—prisoners often find their social ties broken, making reintegration harder.
Prisoners become more isolated, distrusting, and paranoid, which leads to higher rates of reoffending upon release.

Furthermore, prisons rely too heavily on solitary confinement rather than addressing the root causes of violence and disorder. Instead of rehabilitation programs or psychological support, solitary is overused as a quick fix, creating more problems in the long term.

Solitary confinement doesn’t improve order—it fuels more instability.

The Long-Term Effects Post-Release

The impact of long-term solitary confinement does not end when a prisoner is released—it follows them for life.

Many former prisoners struggle with hypervigilance, paranoia, and social anxiety, making it difficult to reintegrate into society. Others experience emotional numbness, finding it hard to form relationships or trust others.

Without proper psychological treatment and reintegration programs, many prisoners who endure prolonged isolation end up reoffending, unable to cope with normal social life.

Although solitary confinement is a global problem, studies show it does not rehabilitate—it makes reintegration nearly impossible.

A Broken System

Solitary confinement is not the solution—it is part of the problem.

Breaks social bonds and damages rehabilitation efforts
Leads to severe mental health issues and suicide
Creates a cycle of isolation and reoffending

UK prisons must focus on structured rehabilitation, mental health support, and humane treatment—not prolonged isolation.

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