Why is solitary confinement so frequent in US prisons? | TV exhibits

On Wednesday, July 12 at 19:30 GMT:
America has been round for years The biggest jailer in the world. Now jail guards are highlighting the widespread use of solitary confinement, warning of the bodily and psychological toll it workouts on inmates.

Greater than 122,000 persons are held in solitary confinement in US jails and prisons at any given time. A report Unlock the Field and Solitary Watch by 2019 information base says. Inmates separated from the overall jail inhabitants face at the least 22 hours of solitary confinement per day.

And in lots of circumstances, persons are held in solitary confinement – variously generally known as ‘restricted lodging’ or ‘administrative segregation’ by correctional authorities – for weeks, months or years. Psychiatrists say that extended solitary confinement has a devastating impact on the psychological well being of prisoners, and United Nations experts They are saying that solitary confinement for greater than 15 days is torture.

‘the box‘, a brand new movie by Al Jazeera’s Faultlines, highlights the case of Dennis van Hope, a prisoner who was held in solitary confinement for 27 years and solely launched into the overall jail inhabitants after a authorized problem.

On this episode of The Stream, we ask why so many individuals in US jails and prisons are going through lengthy spells with out significant human contact and efforts to problem the apply.

On this episode of The Stream, we embrace:
Jeremy Younger, @YoungRJeremy
Senior Producer, Fault Line

Kermit Ritter, @KerametR
Professor, College of California, Irvine
kerametreiter.com

Kevin McCarthy
Survivor of solitary confinement, activist and legislation pupil