Problem
The Problem the Study Aimed to Address:
The study investigates the impact of solitary confinement on the mental well-being of incarcerated individuals, aiming to clarify mixed evidence about its psychological effects.
General Impact on the System and/or Public:
The findings contribute to understanding whether solitary confinement exacerbates mental health challenges and how individual characteristics and prison experiences influence well-being.
Research Questions Answered:
- Is placement in solitary confinement associated with changes in mental well-being over time?
- How do individual traits and prison experiences mediate this relationship?
Method and Analysis
Program Evaluated or Gaps Addressed:
The study evaluates solitary confinement practices in Arizona state prisons, focusing on their effects relative to less restrictive environments.
Data and Sample Size:
Data were collected through interviews with 326 incarcerated men (122 in maximum custody/solitary confinement, 204 in less restrictive settings) at three intervals over a year, supplemented by administrative data on risk levels and mental health scores.
Analysis Used:
- Cross-classified multilevel models assessed both between-person (cross-sectional) and within-person (longitudinal) effects. Key metrics included the Global Severity Index (GSI) and Mental Health Score (MHS).
Outcome
Key Findings:
- Between-Person Analysis: Individuals in solitary confinement exhibited worse mental well-being compared to those in less restrictive environments. However, this association weakened when individual characteristics (e.g., personality traits, coping styles) were considered.
- Within-Person Analysis: Moving into solitary confinement was not consistently linked to a significant worsening of symptoms compared to staying in less restrictive custody levels.
- Individual differences, such as emotional stability and perception of procedural justice, strongly influenced mental health outcomes.
Implications/Recommendations:
- Policymakers should address the psychological harm of solitary confinement by considering both environmental conditions and individual experiences.
- Training correctional staff on procedural justice and promoting healthier coping strategies among incarcerated individuals may mitigate the adverse effects of incarceration.
- Broader reform efforts should also examine collective confinement conditions to enhance the well-being of incarcerated populations.
This study underscores the complexity of solitary confinement’s psychological effects, advocating for nuanced policies that prioritize individual and systemic factors.