This document discusses solitary confinement and its emotional and physical effects on inmates. It notes that inmates can spend years in solitary confinement with only brief contact from prison staff once per day. The psychological effects of solitary confinement include anxiety, headaches, anger, confused thinking, and social withdrawal. Physiological effects include gastrointestinal, heart, urinary, and migraine issues as well as fatigue. The conclusion states there is evidence that solitary confinement for extended periods negatively impacts inmate health, so prisons must take steps to care for all inmates.

1. Solitary Confinement
And Its Emotional
Effects

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. 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.

4. Psychological Effects
 Anxiety
 Headaches
 Irrational Anger
 Confused Thought Processes
 Social Withdrawal

5. Physiological Effects
 Gastro-Intestinal Problems
 Cardiovascular Problems
 Genito-Urinary Problems,
 Migraine Headaches
 Profound Fatigue

6. 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.

7. References
 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.
 "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>.
 Shalev, Sharon. A Sourcebook on Solitary Confinement. London:
Mannheim Centre for Criminology, London School of Economics and
Political Science, 2008. Web.
 "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>.