Solitary confinement has been used in the North American prison systems for a very long time. Solitary confinement takes an inmate out of the general population and places them in a solitary cell for 22-24 hours a day with very little or no access to people, and the outside world. This confinement can last for days, or even months (Human Rights Watch). Solitary confinement is often used as a form of punishment, and it has even been rationalized for use as a means for protection of certain people who are living in prisons. When most people picture solitary confinement, they picture it happening to adults. However, adults are not the only people facing this issue in the North American prison system. In America alone, as many as 17,000 youth face solitary confinement a year (Polay). In Canada, the use of solitary confinement for youth is much less common. However, there are still children in Canada being affected by it (Manitoba Advocate). Although no one should be kept in solitary confinement, regardless of age, youth are particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of solitary confinement.
Children have different psychological makeups compared to adults because their brains are still developing. Therefore, there are certain development and psychological risks associated with the use of solitary confinement for youth. Many experts in the field of child psychology agree that solitary confinement can cause, or exacerbate, existing mental health issues or disabilities (Human Rights Watch). Since the prefrontal cortex is not yet fully developed until an individual is in their mid-twenties the use of solitary confinement can be particularly harmful to this part of the brain’s development in youth (Polay). This can have dangerous and lasting effects. Many people in the prison system and juvenile detention system are already predisposed to mental health issues. Therefore, the use of isolation can have devastating effects on children. Youth who have been exposed to solitary confinement have stated that during their time in solitary they had “thoughts of suicide and self-harm; visual and auditory hallucinations; feelings of depression; acute anxiety; shifting sleep patterns; nightmares and traumatic memories; and uncontrollable anger or rage (Human Rights Watch).” Youth deserve protection from lasting health issues that can stem from the use of solitary confinement. Physical and social harm can also be seen when studying the effects of solitary confinement. The lack of opportunity for physical stimulation or exercise goes against the Centre for Disease Control’s recommendations for exercise that is adequate for youth each day (Human Rights Watch). Youth being held in solitary have also reported losing weight. This has been due to inadequate meal options or having the inability to supplement their diet with commissary foods (Human Rights Watch). In solitary, youth are often cut off from contact from their families who are often provide social support systems. This can be extremely difficult because family support systems are especially important to people in the prison system (Human Rights Watch). Furthermore, the denial of access to education can cause students to fall behind, or miss out on, important stimulation. It was reported that only 31% of children in solitary confinement in America were receiving access to education (Human Rights Watch).
In the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Child, Article 37 prohibits “torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment” of children (OCHCR). The negative and lasting physical and mental health impacts, that stem from solitary confinement as a use of punishment, directly go against the United Nations Rights of Child. It is important that countries uphold international law and prioritize keeping children safe from systemic abuse in the prison system. Children have pre-existing vulnerabilities to the negative effects of solitary confinement because of their psychological and physiological make ups. Therefore, it is critical that children are not placed in solitary confinement because the effects can be detrimental to their long-term development.
Retrieved from Fiereman, Jessica, et al. “Unlocking Youth: Legal Strategies to End Solitary Confinement in Juvenile Facilities.” Juvenile Law Center, https://jlc.org/resources/unlocking-youth-legal-strategies-end-solitary-confinement-juvenile-facilities.
Works Cited
“Breaking the Cycle”. Manitoba Advocate, 2021, https://manitobaadvocate.ca/wp-content/uploads/MACY-Compliance-Report-2021-Final-Print.pdf.
“Convention on the Rights of the Child.” OHCHR, 1989, https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-child.
Fiereman, Jessica, et al. “Unlocking Youth: Legal Strategies to End Solitary Confinement in Juvenile Facilities.” Juvenile Law Center, https://jlc.org/resources/unlocking-youth-legal-strategies-end-solitary-confinement-juvenile-facilities.
“Growing up Locked Down.” Human Rights Watch, 4 Nov. 2020, https://www.hrw.org/report/2012/10/10/growing-locked-down/youth-solitary-confinement-jails-and-prisons-across-united.
Polay, Madison. Solitary Confinement of Adolescents: A Mental Health Crisis. University of Michigan School of Public Health, 26 June 2019, https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2019posts/solitary_confinement_of_minors.html.
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