Solitary Confinement And Mental Illness - 1279 Words

Does Solitary Confinement Contribute to Mental Illness in Inmates? Introduction This section of the paper consists of three main parts. First, the research questions that will be addressed, the expected hypotheses and an identification of independent and dependent variables. Second, the supporting literature for the hypotheses is discussed. Third, a conceptualization (definition) and operationalization (measurement) of each independent and dependent variable. Research Questions †¢ Does solitary confinement result in negative psychological effects for inmates? †¢ Does solitary confinement affect those inmates who have been diagnosed as mentally ill prior to entering solitary confinement differently than those not diagnosed as mentally ill? †¢ Do the psychological effects of solitary confinement vary by length of confinement? Hypotheses †¢ Solitary confinement does result in negative psychological effects in inmates. †¢ Solitary confinement does affect those inmates who have been diagnosed as mentally ill prior to entering solitary confinement differently than those who have never been diagnosed as mentally ill. †¢ The psychological effects of solitary confinement vary by length of confinement. Variables For the first hypothesis, the independent variable is being placed in solitary confinement and the dependent variable is experiencing negative psychological effects. For the second hypothesis, there are two independent variables working together; having a prior mentalShow MoreRelatedThe Extreme Solitary Confinement Causes Mental Illness Among Prisoners519 Words   |  2 Pagessystem constructed in the early 1800s used extreme isolation to deter future crime inspired solitary confinement. In the twentieth century, inmates in solitary confinement would stay for short periods. According to Craig, people would stay in secure housing units for a couple of days or weeks (Weir, 54). Nowadays solitary confinement has become very popular. Inmates are being sent to solitary confinement for indefinite periods of time ranging from weeks to years. An Urban Institute survey of self-identifiedRead MoreSolitary Confinement Is The Process Of Isolating Individuals Incarcerated From The General P opulation892 Words   |  4 Pages  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Solitary Confinement is the process of isolating individuals incarcerated from the general population. Prisoners held in solitary confinement can be isolated from general populations for days, weeks, months or even years. In solitary confinement prisoners are confined to a small cell from anywhere between 22-24 hours a day. Solitary confinement prisoners are restricted from all human contact, activities including physical and educational and only allowed approximately an hour of freeRead MoreEthical Concerns Of Solitary Confinement1482 Words   |  6 PagesEthical Concerns of Solitary Confinement The Basis for a Flawed System: Solitary confinement is a more secure area within a prison. It is intended to be a place where inmates go when they violate prison rules or laws. This is only one of the three possible uses for confinement. Confinement is also used to house mentally ill patients as well as pretrial individuals. Solitary confinement is no longer necessary for society today due to the fact that the negative effects of being placed in solitudeRead MoreCriminalization Of The Mentally Ill1486 Words   |  6 Pagesprison system, it is important to know the history of mental illness in the prison system. In1841, Dorothea Dix began her Asylum Movement. She saw how deplorable the conditions were for mentally ill inmates in the prison system and insisted on change. The mental ill inmates were treated very poorly, being beaten, starved, and sexually abused. Dix brought her findings to the legislature of Massachusetts and funds were then set aside to expand the mental hospital in Worcester. This was then dupli cated acrossRead MoreThe Incarceration Of Solitary Confinement1722 Words   |  7 Pagesby inmates were because they were in solitary confinement (Breslow, 2014). Although some inmates have failed at their suicide attempts, that does not mean that they have not attempted to end their lives. There is a higher rate of inmates self mutilating while being in solitary confinement than if they were in the general prison population (Breslow, 2014). This means that inmates that are isolated are more of a danger to themselves. Being in solitary confinement also attributes to personality disordersRead MoreSolitary Confinement Is A Form Of Punishment918 Words   |  4 PagesSolitary confinement is a separate housing unit where housing is for the worst of the worst and any criminal who cannot be left in general population. Supermax prisons is a form of tool where the wardens and security guards can manage any disobedient prisoners. Many state wardens believe that solitary confinement does pro vide order and safety to the correctional staff and the inmates as well. This form of housing unit is needed because those who are not cooperative to any form of treatment and whoRead MoreAdministrative Segregation And Its Effect On The Workplace1297 Words   |  6 PagesOver the past several years there has been a dramatic increase in Administrative Segregation, which many inmates call Ad. Seg. Administrative Segregation is a distinctive area where violent inmates are sent. Solitary Confinement is another name for this area where inmates who violated rules, are seemed as a threat to others or themselves are housed. Each cell holds a single person in which the inmates reside 23 hours a day and are allowed out for one hour to exercise in a 6X10 cage. AdministrativeRead MoreIncarceration : Cruel And Unregulated Punishment Essay907 Words   |  4 Pagesviolations of their basic human rights. Abuses of power present themselves in a myriad of ways, including; the unregulated approach in which prison facilities enforce solitary confinement, the misuse of â€Å"compassionate release† policies and the judicial system’s wrongful imprisonment of individuals suffering from mental illness and, or mental disability. In most cases, prisoners will experience at least one, if not all, of these disparaging interactions during incarceration. Without federal regulationsRead MoreThe Destructive And Wrongful Use Of Solitary Confinement1675 Words   |  7 Pages30th, 2015 The Destructive and Wrongful Use of Solitary Confinement Very few prison systems and prison facilities use the term â€Å"solitary confinement:, instead referring to prison â€Å"segregation† or placement in â€Å"restrictive housing† (Solitary Watch, FAQ). Solitary confinement is the total isolation of inmates who are feared for being a â€Å"danger† to â€Å"society,† — the prison system itself - for 23 hours a day from days to even decades. Solitary confinement was established in the 1800’s, where it initiallyRead MoreSolitary Confinement Should Not Be Rigid And Tough On Crime1244 Words   |  5 PagesDefining Solitary Confinement The government has concluded that any research lab should not keep testing animals in the cages, so why government is treating human being in that way? The term solitary confinement becomes so popular as the politicians promised to be rigid and tough on crime. The politician makes different promises about keeping us safe and putting bad peoples behind the bars, but they donot think twice about potential effects on the convict’s health and family. Moving on, Solitary confinement