Ethical Violations Related to Long-Term Solitary Confinement in Prison

Ethical Violations Related to Long-Term Solitary Confinement in Prison
Name
Institution
Due Date
Ethical Violations Related to Long-Term Solitary Confinement in Prison
Introduction
Solitary confinement is by far one of the most controversial topics of debate in the American prison system. The Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) defines it as the action of detaining “an inmate alone in a cell for over 22 hours a day” (2022). According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS), solitary confinement is quite common in American prisons (2015). Statistics from BJS reveal that 20% of prison inmates happen to be placed in solitary confinement while serving their terms. Further, BJS reveals that a significant percentage of inmates, about 10%, end up accumulating more than 30 days in solitary confinement (2015). As common a practice as it might seem, solitary confinement has been known to have detrimental effects on inmates. For example, BJS indicates that a majority of inmates diagnosed with mental health issues, including psychological distress, are said to have spent time in solitary confinement (2015). The statistics paint a damning picture of the situation, indicating that 25% of prison inmates who spend more than 30 days in solitary confinement succumb to serious psychological distress. With the above statistics, one is forced to examine the ethical standing of solitary confinement and whether it is a necessary deterrent approach. Further, one is forced to question the mandate of prisons, which on paper are meant to be rehabilitative but appear to be causing more harm than help. Provided herein is a discussion of whether solitary confinement violates professional ethics, whether it violates criminal law and the steps to be taken to help revamp solitary confinement.
Is Solitary Confinement a Violation of Professional Ethics?
Solitary confinement is a violation of professional ethics because it exposes prisoners to a myriad of mental health issues. According to Metzner and Fellner (2010), the psychological stress prisoners are exposed to while in solitary confinement is similar to the distress one goes through while undergoing physical torture. As it stands, prisoners are in a more vulnerable position to be diagnosed with mental health issues compared to the general public (Walker et al., 2013). Therefore, being kept in solitary confinement only enhances their prevalence and susceptibility to mental health issues. According to Doshi (2020), solitary confinement leads to sensory deprivation for the inmates, opening doors to hallucination episodes, distorted reality, and de-realization. Eventually, these open doors for conditions like Schizophrenia and Ganser syndrome, which further impact prisoners. Doshi (2020) offers further explanation noting that while in solitary confinement, the brain is forced to fill gaps and form perceptions through hallucinations. While in a crowd, the brain has the luxury of getting stimulated by the events surrounding an individual, however, while in solitary confinement, the brain is forced to fill such with imagined states. In the end, prison ends up damaging people and negating the purpose for which prisons were established in the first place.
Secondly, the sub...