Solitary Confinement Reform (H 6161, S 617)

We joined a number of organizations in supporting legislation which would have limite the ability for carceral facilities in RI to utilize solitary confinement, noting that best practices point towards eliminating solitary confinement as a way to keep prisons safer, healthier, and reduce recidivism.

Solitary confinement – in which individuals who are incarcerated are isolated in a cell for up to 22 hours a day without access to other individuals – can have profound and harmful impacts on the health of an incarcerated individual. We joined a number of organizations in supporting legislation which would have limited the ability for carceral facilities in Rhode Island to utilize solitary confinement, noting that nationwide best practices point towards eliminating solitary confinement as a way to keep prisons safer, healthier, and reduce recidivism. The legislation complements litigation the Affiliate is currently involved in, challenging the practice's constitutionality in a variety of contexts. Unfortunately, the bill died in committee.