Mentor/s
Dr. Rober Professor Papa Professor McCabe
Participation Type
Paper Talk
Abstract
Solitary confinement is a form of punishment that is used for violent and disorderly inmates in The United States Corrections system. This practice has been deemed illegal and has been outlawed in many countries and even within some states within the United States. The long term psychological and physical effects caused by extended periods of isolation is not only dangerous for the prisoners, but also for the rest of society. After an inmate enters solitary confinement they are forever changed for the worse and recovery is near-impossible. The United States needs to find a better solution for unruly prisoners than locking them up in a six by nine concrete cell for twenty-three hours a day.
The use of solitary confinement has been a major topic of discussion around the world, not only in the United States. It has been clearly defined as a form of torture by the United Nations and is shunned upon if a country uses it on a foreigner. A question to ask is: Why would a country like the United States want to subject its own citizens to this type of “cruel and unusual punishment”? The most discussed aspect of this form of torture is the fact that the inmate has little to no contact with other people. The psychological effects this has on a person creates lifelong problems that they will rarely escape.
Solitary confinement became a matter of global discussion after its overuse on prisoners of war throughout the 1900’s. Many countries were so disgusted that they wanted it to be banned as a form of torture on POW’s. As of October 21, 1950, through the Geneva Convention, it is now outlawed to use solitary confinement for captured soldiers. If one of the largest human rights meetings decided it should be outlawed in wars, then it should clearly be banned in the United States for its own prisoners. Senator John McCain, who was subjected to this the type of torture, was a huge advocate against the use of solitary confinement. He believed it was inhumane and he said that no person should be subjected to that type of torture. (The Dangerous Overuse Of Solitary Confinement In The United States). As strong as he was, he still stated this was one of the worst things that could happen to a human being. He fought strongly against its use on American prisoners while he was alive.
College and Major available
Criminal Justice
Location
Digital Commons
Start Day/Time
5-5-2021 1:00 PM
End Day/Time
5-5-2021 4:00 PM
Prize Categories
Most Scholarly Impact or Potential, Best Writing (formerly called the Writing Across the Curriculum prize; the final submission date to be considered for this award is Apr 1), Most Meaningful
Solitary Confinement in The United States of America
Digital Commons
Solitary confinement is a form of punishment that is used for violent and disorderly inmates in The United States Corrections system. This practice has been deemed illegal and has been outlawed in many countries and even within some states within the United States. The long term psychological and physical effects caused by extended periods of isolation is not only dangerous for the prisoners, but also for the rest of society. After an inmate enters solitary confinement they are forever changed for the worse and recovery is near-impossible. The United States needs to find a better solution for unruly prisoners than locking them up in a six by nine concrete cell for twenty-three hours a day.
The use of solitary confinement has been a major topic of discussion around the world, not only in the United States. It has been clearly defined as a form of torture by the United Nations and is shunned upon if a country uses it on a foreigner. A question to ask is: Why would a country like the United States want to subject its own citizens to this type of “cruel and unusual punishment”? The most discussed aspect of this form of torture is the fact that the inmate has little to no contact with other people. The psychological effects this has on a person creates lifelong problems that they will rarely escape.
Solitary confinement became a matter of global discussion after its overuse on prisoners of war throughout the 1900’s. Many countries were so disgusted that they wanted it to be banned as a form of torture on POW’s. As of October 21, 1950, through the Geneva Convention, it is now outlawed to use solitary confinement for captured soldiers. If one of the largest human rights meetings decided it should be outlawed in wars, then it should clearly be banned in the United States for its own prisoners. Senator John McCain, who was subjected to this the type of torture, was a huge advocate against the use of solitary confinement. He believed it was inhumane and he said that no person should be subjected to that type of torture. (The Dangerous Overuse Of Solitary Confinement In The United States). As strong as he was, he still stated this was one of the worst things that could happen to a human being. He fought strongly against its use on American prisoners while he was alive.
Students' Information
Name- Jeremy Miller
Major-Criminal Justice
Minors- Honors, Social Justice, Political Science
Graduation year- 2021