Abstract
This article is addressed to the D.C. Justice Lab. Solitary confinement, defined as isolation from human contact for 22-24 hours per day, can lead to various negative physical and psychological effects (Solitary Confinement, 2018). It is the District of Columbia Department of Corrections’ (DOC) policy to place people in custody who are at high risk of suicide in a “safe cell”, which is a form of solitary confinement. The D.C. DOC should end this policy because it does not meet best practices; the conditions of solitary confinement in safe cells are inhumane and exacerbate peoples’ mental health needs. This report recommends that the DOC transfer people who are at high risk of suicide to external medical or mental health facilities.
Koya-Layfield-Morales-Randi-2022-Eradicating-the-Use-of-Safe-Cells