Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Solitary Confinement
Tue June 19,
2012
(Washington, D.C.) - This morning the Senate Judiciary Committee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights, chaired by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), will hold a hearing on the practice of solitary confinement in U.S. prison systems. The hearing will feature testimony from law enforcement personnel, academics, and advocates. The issue of mental health effects associated with solitary confinement is expected to receive close consideration.
In advance of the hearing, the American Psychiatric Association submitted the following
testimony to the Subcommittee. APA asked the Subcommittee to consider closely the known mental health effects associated with solitary confinement if any policy changes to the practice are made. Furthermore, APA noted how many prison systems often lack adequate healthcare facilities to provide services in an ethically appropriate fashion, and recommended necessary investments be made in both physician workforce and physician workspace."