15 Days

End the Torture of Solitary Confinement

In the US today, more than 80,000 people - men, women, and children - live up to 23 hours a day in tiny cells without natural light, air, or human contact. Many remain there for months, years, or even decades.

The UN's expert on torture considers more than 15 days in solitary confinement a human rights violation. The US is the only democratic nation that makes widespread use of long-term solitary confinement in its prisons, even for minor, nonviolent infractions as simple as having too many postage stamps.

Is solitary confinement torture? What effect does it have on the people who endure it? 

Hear one man’s story »

 

81,622

Individuals held in isolation in U.S. prisons (on last count)

 

25,000

Estimated number of individuals held in long-term solitary in 'supermax' prisons

 

45

Approximate number of individuals held in long-term isolation in British prisons

 

0% 

Percentage decrease in prison violence through use of solitary

 

$25,000

 Average annual cost of keeping someone in prison

 

$75,000

 Average annual cost of keeping someone in solitary

 

7'x10'

Average size of solitary confinement cell

 

8'x16'

Average size of a parking space.

 

0% 

Percentage of people sentenced to solitary by a judge and jury

 

100% 

Percentage of people placed in solitary by corrections officials

 

50% 

Percentage of prison suicides that take place in isolation

 

19x

Number of times more likely youth are to commit suicide in isolation

 

41 Years

Maximum amount of time anyone has spent in solitary in the U.S.