From Berkeley Underground Scholars:
INTRODUCTION
Solitary confinement stands as one of the most dire human rights issues of our time. Solitary confinement exacts significant human and fiscal costs. Prolonged solitary confinement has also been determined to constitute torture.
There is wide ranging evidence from national experts that solitary confinement is not only more expensive than other forms of confinement, but also increases violence, recidivism and overall
costs to our society. Individuals subject to solitary confinement are less likely to be released on parole, and more likely to be rearrested, prolonging a cycle of incarceration and the high costs associated with it.
A reduction and overall elimination of solitary confinement would lead to savings, both in terms of costs but also, most importantly, human life. Studies on the reduction of solitary confinement and its impact on incarcerated individuals and facility staff have shown “improvements in their health and well-being, enhanced interactions with one another, and less exposure to violence.”
This report focuses on the fiscal impact of proposed legislation to limit solitary confinement in California, and examines arguments put forward by correctional authorities opposing legislative change. This report recognizes that the most significant goal in eliminating solitary confinement is to protect human dignity and life. This report also recognizes that the issue of mass incarceration and solitary confinement is fundamentally tied with the issue of racial justice. In 2007 Amnesty International noted that 71% of people in secure housing units (SHU)
in California were either Black or Hispanic.
Read the full report here.
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