Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sen. Markey Lead Push to End Solitary Confinement in Federal Detention Facilities

WASHINGTON, DC  – Yesterday, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37)and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) reintroduced the End Solitary Confinement Act, legislation that would end solitary confinement in federal prisons, jails, and detention centers, with limited exceptions. This bill would create minimum standards for incarceration, including by requiring that facilities give detainees access to out-of-cell interaction and recreation and by capping the length of solitary confinement at four hours. 

Individuals held in solitary confinement can be isolated in a small, concrete, windowless cell for 22 hours or longer. Placement in solitary for any length of time, whether days or even hours, can cause severe, long-term harm. Individuals held in solitary confinement may suffer serious adverse effects on their mental and physical health, including an increased risk of suicide, heart disease, anxiety, and depression. Solitary confinement is also disproportionately inflicted on Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as on vulnerable populations, including persons with preexisting mental health illnesses.   

“Solitary confinement is torture, period,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove. “This outdated practice, dating back to the 1800s, does nothing to promote rehabilitation. Research consistently shows it causes severe mental health issues, intensifies existing barriers to recovery, and disproportionately harms incarcerated Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ individuals. We must abolish solitary confinement entirely—and I’m proud to lead the charge with this bill that will finally end its use in the United States.” 

“Solitary confinement is a cruel and unnecessary practice that has no place in our country. This practice isn’t rehabilitation, it’s torture,” said Senator Markey. “Forcing people, including those from vulnerable groups, into small, cramped, concrete prison cells without human interaction for hours, days, weeks, and even months on end is inhumane. I am proud to introduce this legislation, alongside Representative Kamlager-Dove, to move us closer to ending solitary confinement, once and for all.”  

“Solitary confinement is torture and should never be used,” said Congresswoman Tlaib.“It takes a devastating toll on mental health, heightens the risk of self-harm and suicide, increases recidivism, and can lead to severe psychological trauma. It is disproportionately inflicted on Black and brown people and other marginalized communities. We need to lead with restorative justice and recognize the human dignity of incarcerated people by abolishing this inhumane practice once and for all.”

“Solitary confinement causes irreversible harm to individuals, yet we continue to use this form of torture across the American criminal justice system,” said Congressman Espaillat. “These harms, while well documented, have been shown to lead to increased mental health risks and heightened rates of suicide. Solitary confinement is inhumane and a form of torture that should never be used, period. I am proud to join my colleagues to reintroduce the End Solitary Confinement Act during the 119th Congress to ban this practice across our justice system in its entirety.”

“Most Americans agree that the extensive use of solitary confinement is morally indefensible,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. The use of solitary confinement has been shown to significantly harm to the incarcerated individual’s mental health leading to self-mutilation, anxiety, depression, psychosis, mental deterioration, and suicide. The United States is currently going through a significant mental health crisis to which the Federal government should not be contributing through its extensive use of solitary confinement. Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove’s bill to end the extended use of solitary confinement is a step in the right direction towards our goal of rehabilitation and mental health.”

“Solitary confinement is a cruel, inhumane punishment that is detrimental to a person's mental health and does nothing to promote rehabilitation,” said Congresswoman Lee.“This legislation is about protecting human rights, upholding accountability, and ending a practice rooted in systemic racism and trauma. I fully support Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove's End Solitary Confinement Act. We must choose care and compassion over punishment and isolation." 

Specifically, the End Solitary Confinement Act would:   

• End solitary confinement in federal prisons, jails and other detention settings with limited exceptions, including a 4-hour maximum for emergency de-escalation;
• Protect vulnerable populations, including elderly individuals and pregnant persons, from placement in solitary confinement;
• Ensure detainees have meaningful access to out-of-cell time, group programming, and basic needs and services;
• Impose strict due process protections, including access to representation and neutral decision-makers;
• Create oversight and enforcement mechanisms, including mandatory reporting, a private cause of action, oversight by a community monitoring body, and enhanced media access; and 
• Incentivize states and municipalities to adopt similar bans on solitary confinement. 

In the House, the End Solitary Confinement Act was co-led by Representatives Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Summer Lee (PA-12). Cosponsors in the Senate include Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore).  

This legislation is endorsed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Constitutional Rights, Vera Institute of Justice, National Religious Campaign Against Torture, Unlock the Box Campaign, the #HALTsolitary Campaign, and Zealous.  

Bill Text (PDF)

# # #