Recent research by Dr. Jessica Simes of Boston University sheds light on solitary confinement — often referred to as “restrictive housing” — in Pennsylvania prisons. The study, presented to Pennsylvania Prison Society staff and partners, reveals critical findings about the scope and impact of solitary confinement — how common it is, who it impacts, and what people in prison experience.
Here are five key takeaways from the presentation:
1. Solitary confinement is far more common than point-in-time data suggests
Traditional point-in-time suggests that 4–5% of people in prison in Pennsylvania are in solitary confinement on any given day. This snapshot underrepresents the true extent of the practice. Instead, Dr. Simes’ research tracked a cohort of people over time (those born in the late 1980s) to estimate how many will ever experience solitary by age 37.
Using this method, the share of people in prison who will experience solitary confinement over the course of their lives rises dramatically. For example, more than 10% of Black men are estimated to have spent at least 15 consecutive days in solitary by age 37, and one in every 100 have spent a consecutive year in solitary confinement by that age.
2. Racial disparities are significant — and persistent
The research finds stark disparities in exposure to solitary confinement. Among Black men in Pennsylvania, more than one in 10 will experience at least 15 consecutive days in solitary by their mid-30s, compared to about 1.8% of white men. Most of this disparity is driven by broader patterns of incarceration, but differences in how solitary is used within prisons also play a role.
3. People with mental health needs face greater risk — and longer stays
People in prison with serious mental illness are at high risk of being placed in solitary confinement and tend to spend about two additional weeks on average compared to those without a mental health classification. Much of this disparity stems from early decision points in the disciplinary process — particularly misconduct tickets — where behaviors linked to mental health needs may be interpreted as rule violations.
4. Conditions in solitary are deeply isolating — and harmful
Solitary confinement typically involves up to 23 hours a day in a cell with limited access to basic needs and human contact. Many people in prison report challenges accessing showers, clean clothing, adequate food, and contact with family members. These conditions can lead to serious psychological effects, including stress, panic attacks, and difficulty concentrating.
5. Practical changes could make a difference now
People in prison point to practical changes that could make an immediate difference: greater access to commissary, radios, books, and magazines, along with clearer communication about rights and expectations. These small but meaningful improvements could help reduce the harms of prolonged isolation while broader reforms continue.
This research underscored that solitary confinement is not a marginal practice; it is a widespread and deeply consequential part of the prison experience.
At the Pennsylvania Prison Society, we are committed to using research like this with our on-the-ground access to advocate for safer, more humane conditions for people in prison.
