Solitary confinement isolates prisoners from human contact for extended periods of time, often years. This causes significant psychological effects like anxiety, anger, and withdrawal as well as physiological issues including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and genitourinary problems. While intended as a punishment, the article argues solitary confinement is inhumane and prisons should take steps to protect inmates' mental and physical health.

1. S
Solitary Confinement
And Its Emotional
Effects
Chris Schertzer

2. What is Solitary Confinement
Solitary confinement is a form of
imprisonment in which a prisoner is
isolated from any human contact, though
often with the exception of member of
prison staff.

3. Video
S http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/solitary-
confinement-controversial-punishment-17286143

4. Time Spent
Inmates can spend years in solitary with
only contact from the Prison staff. This
contact is brief and may not happen but
every 23 to 24 hours.

5. Psychological Effects
S Anxiety
S Headaches
S Irrational Anger
S Confused Thought Processes
S Social Withdrawal

6. Physiological Effects
S Gastro-Intestinal Problems
S Cardiovascular Problems
S Genito-Urinary Problems,
S Migraine Headaches
S Profound Fatigue

7. Conclusion
There is definite evidence of negative effects
from prisoners being held in Solitary
Confinement for extended periods of time.
Penitentiary systems need to take extra
steps to look after the health of all inmates
regardless of their preexisting medical
illnesses.

8. References
S "Solitary Confinement: A Controversial Punishment." ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web.
10 June 2014. <http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/solitary-confinement-controversial-
punishment-17286143>.
S Scharff, Peter . "The Effects of Solitary Confinement on Prison Inmates: A Brief History and
Review of the Literature." JSTOR. The University of Chicago Press, 20 Dec. 2010. Web.
08 June 2014.
S "Alone, in 'the Hole'" Http://www.apa.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 June 2014. <http://
www.apa.org/monitor/2012/05/solitary.aspx>.
S Shalev, Sharon. A Sourcebook on Solitary Confinement. London: Mannheim Centre
for Criminology, London School of Economics and Political Science, 2008. Web.
S "Torture: The Use of Solitary Confinement in U.S. Prisons." Center for Constitution RSS. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 08 June 2014. <http://ccrjustice.org/solitary-factsheet>.