SOLITARY:
THE FAMILY
EXPERIENCE
CITIZENS FOR
PRISON REFORM

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This report is dedicated to the thousands of people who
have suffered solitary confinement and their families
who endured it with them.
RESEARCH METHODS
Information in this report was primarily compiled from interviews and surveys of 30
family members who have or have had a loved one incarcerated in solitary
confinement in a Michigan prison, which is defined as isolated confinement for more
than 20 hours a day. The percentages attributed to family respondents are based on a
small sample size relative to over 35,000 people currently in Michigan prisons.
Respondents did not comment on isolation in jails or juvenile facilities so those
separate institutions were not addressed in this report. CPR recognizes that the voices
of other key stakeholders, including solitary survivors, correctional officers, and
healthcare staff are a vital part of this discussion and, although not specifically
explored in this report, must be consulted as part of systemic reform. Citizens for
Prison Reform is grateful to the numerous families who were willing to share their
stories and use their lived experiences to recommend changes.
This report was made possible by generous support from the Unlock the Box
Campaign, the Gerald Beckwith Constitutional Liberties Fund, and the Resist Fund.
The primary author is Michelle Weemhoff, Principal of Next Generation Justice
Consulting, LLC. The report was designed by Tiffany Walker and Pratiksha Boinapolly.
Many thanks to Abandon America for use of images of solitary cells.
Citizens for Prison Reform (CPR) is a family-led organization that engages, educates,
and empowers those affected by crime and punishment to advance their
constitutional, civil and human rights. The Open MI Door Campaign is dedicated to
ending the use of solitary confinement and creating safe alternatives to segregation.
For more information about the Open MI Door Campaign to end solitary confinement,
visit www.micpr.org/Open-MI-Door.
(c) 2020 Citizens for Prison Reform
1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
THE IMPACT OF SOLITARY
CONFINEMENT ON FAMILIES
Despite its name, “solitary confinement” impacts more
than just the person in prison. Family members suffer
greatly when a loved one is sent to isolated confinement
for more than 20 hours a day. Despite the well-known
dangers associated with “the hole” - extreme loneliness,
psychiatric distress, increased self-harm, and high rates
of suicide - families are often cut off from visits and
communications with loved ones during this time.
Families worry greatly about the health and well-being
of their loved ones inside, unsure if they are receiving
adequate access to medical or mental healthcare or
being treated fairly. Families know that their loved ones
are at the mercy of the correctional officers who guard
the unit; yet, when they make contact with officers, they
are often met with disregard and disdain. The stress that
solitary has on family members is alarming and largely
undocumented.
This report highlights the mental, emotional, social and
even physical toll that solitary has on families of
incarcerated loved ones in the Michigan Department of
Corrections (MDOC) and provides recommendations
based on their experiences to develop safer, more
humane alternatives to solitary confinement.

PAGE 03 | INTRODUCTION

THE REALITIES OF
SOLITARY
CONFINEMENT
Picture your dearest loved one in your mind - your child, spouse,
parent or grandparent. Now imagine them being locked in a
concrete room the size of a parking space, enclosed with a solid
steel door, for 23 to 24 hours a day. They have no outside contact
with other human beings, except for a voice through the food
slot, where they are given three meals a day - often only half
portions or sometimes none at all. The noise is either unbearably
loud from others shouting or unbearably silent, a torturous form
of sensory deprivation. In the summer, the temperature could
feel over 100 degrees, with no air circulation.
If they react or cry out for help, they may be hog-tied, gassed,
tased, have their water turned off, or deprived of sleep. Five days
a week, they are permitted out of their cell for one hour, in a
caged yard, if they’re lucky, and three 10-minute showers a
week.
They have almost no access to employment, education, or
rehabilitative programs and limited reading materials or
personal property. They may only have non-contact visits from
family, separated by plexi-glass while they are bound in
shackles. You might have a weekly 15-minute phone call but,
more often than not, you are left to wonder and worry for their
safety and well-being. This could go on for days, weeks, months,
or even years.
Sadly, this is the reality for over 3,000 families, whose loved ones
are forced to endure some form of solitary confinement in the
Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) each year.
3

"He was the one enduring the torture
but it felt torturous to me, too."

Despite the perception that these prisoners are the “worst of the
worst,” most people in solitary confinement are there because of
mental illness or because they are “nuisance” prisoners, who
repeatedly have low-level violations.1 The vast majority of these
individuals are people of color; sixty-five percent of those in
segregation are Black.

2

In 2015, the federal class action Ashker v. Governor of California made
a clear and compelling case that the use of prolonged solitary
confinement was tantamount to cruel and unusual punishment and
denied people in prison their right to due process.3 Although U.S. and
international law is clear that all forms of torture and other cruel,
inhumane and degrading treatment are prohibited, this dangerous
practice continues to be used in Michigan with few restrictions.

4

MDOC SEGREGATION POLICIES
ADMINISTRATIVE SEGREGATION: 835 PEOPLE 4
Administrative segregation is the most restrictive level of security classification and
the most common type of solitary confinement.5 A prisoner may be transferred to
administrative segregation as a result of a Class 1 misconduct violation or
reclassified to administrative segregation if an MDOC official determines that their
behavior warrants isolation. There is no limit on the number of days, weeks, months
or years someone may be placed in “ad seg.” Historically, the norm was to keep
“trouble makers” in administrative segregation for years and years. Today, it is more
common for individuals to cycle in and out after a number of months, returning to
level IV or V (which is still very restrictive) and then ending up back in segregation.

TEMPORARY SEGREGATION: 319 PEOPLE

6

Temporary segregation is used to remove prisoners from the general population
during intake, pending a hearing for a Class I misconduct violation, investigations
or interrogations, or transferring to a different facility. Placement in temporary
segregation is limited to 7 days in most circumstances.

PUNITIVE SEGREGATION: 130 PEOPLE

7

Punitive segregation, also known as detention, is used as punishment for Class 1
misconduct violations, such as assault, sexual misconduct, substance abuse, or
other dangerous or threatening behavior. Punitive segregation can last anywhere
from 30 days to one year.

LEVEL V (5) GENERAL POPULATION: 890 PEOPLE
Level V units are the most restrictive “general population” units. These units are not
considered segregation necessarily; however, people in Level V typically remain in
cell for 23 hours per day, and have limited access to programming and recreation.

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS: 102+ PEOPLE

8

Acute mental health units, secure status residential treatment programs, crisis
stabilization units and the START Program are various programs designed for
people with severe and persistent mental illness. While these programs are
intended to be therapeutic, people in these settings are basically treated like level
IV and V prisoners and receive almost no privileges - solely because of their
diagnosis. They typically only get 2 hours out of cell, do not eat communally with
others, and have limited showers, phone calls and personal property.

OBSERVATION CELLS: 26 PEOPLE

9

People may be placed in an observation unit if they are at high risk of harming
themselves, such as someone who is suicidal or at high risk of injury. Despite the
deleterious effects of solitary on one’s mental health, they are placed alone in an
isolation cell, often fed “food loaf” and forced to wear a knee-length suicide gown,
known as a “bam bam suit.”

3,211
PEOPLE IN SOLITARY
Spend more than 20 hours a day
in their cell in Michigan prisons

65%
RACIAL DISPARITY
Sixty-five percent of people in
solitary confinement are Black

47%
PROLONGED ISOLATION
Forty-seven percent have been
isolated for more than 2 years

Image Source: Abandon America

THE SOLITARY
EXPERIENCE
As of June 2020, the Michigan Department of Corrections reported that 3,211
people were placed in some form of isolation.10Among those in administrative
segregation and Level V cells, approximately 20 percent have been in for 6-12
months; 32 percent have been in for 1-2 years; and a shocking 47 percent have
been in isolation for more than 2 years, including 11 percent who have been
isolated for 5-20 years! 11 This is in stark contrast to the international guidelines
known as the Mandela Rules, which state that “solitary confinement may only
be imposed in exceptional circumstances, and “prolonged” solitary
confinement of more than 15 consecutive days is regarded as a form of
torture." 12
”The United Nations Committee Against Torture has long condemned the
excessive use of harmful isolation practices in U.S. prisons. During an
investigation into Connecticut prisons in February 2020, human rights expert
Nils Melzer revealed that the Connecticut Department of Corrections “appears
to routinely resort to repressive measures, such as prolonged or indefinite
isolation, excessive use of in-cell restraints and needlessly intrusive strip
searches…. There seems to be a state-sanctioned policy aimed at purposefully
inflicting severe pain or suffering, physical or mental, which may well amount
to torture.”
Families gave a similarly dismal picture when asked to describe their loved
one’s experience in solitary confinement in Michigan. For the safety of those
inside, no names or identifying characteristics have been included.
7

IN MICHIGAN, PEOPLE IN
SOLITARY REMAIN IN THEIR
CELLS FOR 22-24 HOURS A DAY.
When someone is in segregation,
they never see other people except
through the food slot or while
walking to the shower or yard. They
are permitted one hour a day
outside, referred to as the “yard,”
where they are placed in a caged
area alone. They are allowed three
10-minute showers and one 15minute phone call per week, if they
are permitted phone privileges.

Families have watched
helplessly as their loved one's
mental health deteriorates in
solitary
Families described their loved ones
as being stressed, unstable, losing
comprehension of their
surroundings, having delusions and
hallucinations, eating paint chips off
the walls, having marked changes in
handwriting and speech, selfmutilating, and being diagnosed
with depression, anxiety, panic,
mania, paranoia, schizophrenia,
rage, and post-traumatic stress
disorder. Solitary can also cause
mental illness in people with no
prior diagnoses or cause them to
exhibit symptoms typically
associated with schizophrenia and
psychotic disorders. 14

“They put him in an outside caged
area with a basketball hoop but
no ball.”

There is almost no educational
or rehabilitative programming.
Although the MDOC segregation
policy states that “all prisoners shall
be provided with property, program,
and activity access,” families
unanimously agreed that meaningful
programming was not available to
their loved ones in solitary. Some
prisoners such as those designated as
“security threat group II” are not even
permitted to borrow books from the
prison library. 13

“He has nothing to do in there so
he goes crazier and bad stuff
happens.”
“They don’t request his mental
health records. I tried to tell them
his medical history and what
hospital he was in but they won’t
listen to me. They are setting him
up to keep failing.”

“Each time he has been in there he
had nothing and just sat there and
waited.”

8

All privileges may be
withheld and possessions
are often lost.
People in segregation are permitted
only a small list of personal items,
such as hygiene products, stateissued clothes, bedding, and reading
and writing materials. Over 90
percent of family respondents
reported that their loved one was
deprived of their personal property
while in segregation; 47 percent
noted paper restriction; and 41
percent said mail or reading material
was withheld. They also described
having televisions and music players
taken away and items that had gone
missing, including eye glasses,
tablets, books, artwork, and photos
of loved ones.
Many people who are in segregation
are also sanctioned with “loss of
privileges” (LOP). When this occurs in
general population, people can be
prevented from accessing one or
more privileges, such as use of the
day room, exercise facilities, group
meetings, out-of-cell hobbycraft
activities, kitchen area, yard, general
library, movies, music, radio, TV,
leisure time, telephone, visits, or email kiosk.15 Typically, all of these
privileges are revoked at one time.16
Although the policy states that LOP
must be limited to 60 days, many
families reported that their loved

one had continuously lost all of
their privileges for months or even
years at a time.
“There is real emotional damage
when they find their property
has been stolen.”

Deteriorating physical
health is a significant
concern.
A number of families reported that
their loved one lost startling
amounts of weight from not getting
enough food and not receiving
medical attention in a timely
manner. Multiple families reported
that their loved one did not receive
prescribed medication for weeks at
a time, even after alerting the
warden and healthcare to the issue.
Over forty percent of families felt
that their loved one was denied
access to medical attention, often
because the custody or healthcare
staff thought they were being
manipulative or “faking” an illness.
Unfortunately, this type of dismissive
culture breeds neglect and a lack of
urgency when someone is
experiencing a real medical or
psychiatric emergency.

“We called several times
expressing the need for medical
and were told repeatedly that he
was physically ok. He died of
dehydration.”

Food and water restriction
was noted as a common form
of punishment.
Over a quarter of family
respondents reported that their
loved one was either denied meals
entirely or given “food loaf,” a
disgusting concoction of blended
food cooked into a loaf. Another
one-third of family respondents
stated that their loved one had the
water deliberately turned off. While
MDOC policy states that “prisoners
shall not be denied adequate
health care or meals,” they may be
placed on food or water
restrictions in order to manage
disruptive behaviors. 17 Healthcare
staff are required to be contacted
to monitor if someone’s health is at
risk during these restrictions;
however, court records revealed
that in the starvation death of
Anthony McManus, for example,
the nurses described being so
“overwhelmed by the number of
prisoners for which they were
responsible that... they were not
obligated to do much more than
look for a breathing body in the
cell.” 18

“"The officers would place my food
on the slot and when I reached to
get it, they would dump the tray on
the floor… The officer let me know
that I had to eat my food at my
own risk. They were spitting in my
food, and I would find chewed
tobacco under my potatoes or
vegetables."
Since that time, numerous inmates
have died of dehydration and heat
exhaustion when their water was
turned off. Even so, MDOC policy does
not require that healthcare staff be
notified if someone’s water is turned
off unless they have not been
19
drinking for 24 hours. While staff are
required to periodically offer water,
they do not need to ensure that the
person drinks it.20

Perhaps one of the most
oppressive features of solitary
is the sensory overload or
deprivation
While some solitary units are eerily
silent, over a third of family
respondents reported that seg units
are incredibly loud, with continuous
shouting and yelling. Lights may be
left on all the time, such that people
have a hard time sleeping. One family
recounted a story in which the
officers thought it was funny to turn
the lights on for over an hour during
the 11:00pm and 4:00am bed counts.
Another family shared a story about
how the intercom had a buzzer
which the officers would repeatedly
push for minutes on end.

“For the first week, almost
two, the guards wouldn’t feed
me or let me shower. What
they would do is stop at my
door and ask me ‘did I want to
eat or shower’ and then keep
going. Going through that, all
I thought about was death.”

10

The majority of families felt that their loved ones received
degrading and dehumanizing treatment.
They described some of the correctional officers as well as mental health and
nursing staff, as hardened, demeaning, threatening, and, in some cases,
abusive. Their loved ones described being told they were “ugly, worthless, nonhuman, and that their life has no meaning.” Some families also believed their
loved one was targeted for retaliation or bullying, while others said their loved
one was mostly ignored, receiving no attention even when they needed help.

““My son is treated like a dog. I have no idea how he has made
it this far." "It has destroyed his ability to trust the guards.”
It is important to note that a few families said their loved one were treated
fairly by the officers, mental health and nursing staff, describing them as
"polite and upright and caring."

“One time my brother was restrained
and tied down to a bed for an entire
week and was forced to urinate and
defecate on himself.”

Physical and chemical restraints
or tasers appear to be used
regularly as a form of physical
management or punishment.

Over fifty percent of family
respondents noted issues
with extreme temperatures.

Forty-seven percent of family
respondents reported that their loved
one experienced hogtying,
“therapeutic” restraints, or top of bed
restraints, sometimes for 24 hours.
Nearly thirty percent of family
respondents said that their loved one
had been tasered. Eighteen percent of
family respondents reported use of
chemical agents, like gas or pepper
spray. While these strategies may be
employed as a means of physical
management, they are traumatic and
could be life-threatening.

During the summer months, cell
temperatures can rise to over 100
degrees. Fans are provided on the unit
but that does not help circulate air past
the steel doors. They are not even
permitted to have their food slot open
to get a sliver of fresh air when the
prison is under a heat advisory. With
windows unable to open, people inside
describe the feeling of roasting in their
cells. Temperatures can also be
incredibly cold in the winter months.
Families state that their loved ones
were freezing, with minimal clothing
supplied and no warm blanket.

“I was told by my son that an officer
put his knee on his neck.”

11

Because of the harmful conditions, people
in solitary are at extreme risk for selfmutiliation and suicide.
The number of suicides in Michigan segregation cells is currently unknown;
however, a study of New York’s jail system found that although only 7.3% of
people were placed in solitary confinement, they accounted for over half of all
self-harm and suicide attempts.21 Some of this disparity could be attributed to
mental illness being exacerbated while in solitary, but also to the fact that
extreme isolation takes away coping mechanisms that they've learned to rely
on, such as calling home, having conversation, or watching TV.22 Without
these strategies, feelings of hopelessness and despair may make it feel like
there is no other way out.

“Imagine getting a letter from
your son, who has always been
loving, smart, caring, helpful,
non-violent and well loved by
many, saying that he wants to
end it all. I’m scared he will
commit suicide.”

“He’s begging to get out so he
hurts himself to get out.”

“I was so mentally exhausted
from being in segregation that I
put a razor to my wrist… and
wanted to cut, but a smiling
image of my mother popped into
my head so I put the razor down."

“Some men just can't take it and
they either die in there or get so
mentally wrecked it would be
hard to get over, if at all.”

“I’m terrified that he will lose his
fight to live!”

”He was forced to wear a bambam suit. He felt too exposed to
walk past other prisoners in
order to shower. No shower
meant longer solitary because he
did not meet the cleanliness
standards.”

12

MDOC SEEKS TO REDUCE
USE OF SEGREGATION
In its 2019-2022 strategic plan, MDOC stated its commitment to reducing the use of
segregation by June 30, 2019 and developing safe alternatives to segregation housing.
It assigned the Deputy Director of Operations to oversee a plan that monitors the use
of segregation and specialized housing.23 The most well known effort was the
Incentives in Segregation program, piloted at Alger Correctional Facility in 2009.
Initially, this 6-stage step-down program showed great promise, decreasing the use of
segregation by 20% and significantly reducing critical incidents and rule violations.24
However, the program has come under scrutiny because there are no clear policies or
timelines. Prisoners who reach higher levels may be subjectively returned back to level
1 and forced to start over.

DIVERTING PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
MDOC’s Security Classification Committee,
which determines segregation placement,
is required to take a prisoner’s need for
mental health services into consideration
when deciding the most appropriate
placement for them. The MDOC’s
Segregation policy is clear that a person
“showing any signs of medical or mental
decompensation shall be immediately
referred for evaluation.” 25 However, one
family explained that,

In April 2017, MDOC Director Heidi
Washington created a workgroup to
reform the use of long-term segregation
and end the use of segregation for
people with serious mental illness. The
START program was piloted in 2018 in
two prisons as a way to divert people
with serious mental illness who exhibit
problem behaviors that would
otherwise land them in administrative
segregation. 27

“While there were some mental health
staff that cared and communicated with
us, often they stated their hands were
tied, that custody trumped getting him
better treatment and out of solitary
confinement.”

"The START program is basically
solitary with a different name."

Policy does, in fact, prioritize security over
mental health treatment and custody staff
are not required to release someone who
needs mental health treatment that
26
cannot be accessed in segregation.

Unfortunately, the START program has
not lived up to its therapeutic ideals,
mimicking the 20+ hours in cell each
day for the people who reside on this
unit. Like Incentives in Segregation, the
START program is based on levels, in
which prisoners can, theoretically, earn
privileges as they increase in level.
People who are on level 1 must earn
even their personal property and phone
calls, both of which they would be
entitled to if they were in administrative
segregation.

CORRECTIONAL
OFFICER SAFETY AND
MENTAL HEALTH
Correctional officers who work in solitary
units may also experience harmful effects
as a result of secondary trauma. In July
2019, MDOC commissioned a study to
examine the well-being of correctional
officers, finding that “their well-being is
inextricably linked to the safety and quality
of operations at MDOC.”
Although this study was not specific to
officers on solitary units, the findings were
shocking:
Custody staff, especially those working in
facilities housing men, had significantly
higher rates of
Major Depressive Disorder (25%),
Generalized Anxiety (50%),
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (41%),
Alcohol Abuse (25%), and
Suicidal Ideation (9%)
than compared to first responders, the
military, or the general population.28
Of greatest concern is that 34 respondents
revealed that they were actively planning
to complete suicide, prompting an urgent
need for mental health support.

COMMUNICATION WITH
LOVED ONE AND STAFF
“As time has gone on, many
have moved on with their
lives and don't communicate
with him now. His support
system has dwindled to just
5 people over the last few
years.”

“It has been hard for his
brother and him to maintain
the closeness he would like.
His older brother has his own
life that is very busy and he
often misses the phone calls.”

“You are never told
anything. You just
gotta sit and wait to
hear from them and
hope nothing bad
happened.”

“No one would either
return my phone calls or
they flat out refused to
tell me any information.”

“When my loved one was
allowed visitors, he was taken to
a room for a no contact visit. He
was in shackles and humped
over (because the shackles were
too short) so he could get his ear
to the phone. It hurt his back. It
was so degrading.”

“They do not release
information on why or
how long they are
locked down.”

“I am his POA (power of
attorney) and
emergency contact and
they still would not tell
me anything.”

“Not being able to
communicate with me
or his family took a toll
on him."

“At one time. I was
treated with kindness.
The nurse told me she
was calling because she
knew my son needed
outside communication.”

“It’s scary not being
able to speak to him.
My anxiety was at an all
time high whenever he
was in segregation.”

“My son asked us to stop
visiting for a while
because the shackles
were so tight and cutting
into his skin, causing his
ankles to bleed.”

“I sit and wonder if he is
dead because I don't
receive my daily jpay
message.”

Families are not informed when a
loved one is placed in solitary
confinement, nor updated on their
condition while in isolation.
When a loved one is placed in solitary,
contact becomes extremely limited.
Families who are used to hearing from
their loved one every day, or receiving
regular emails, are suddenly cut off. The
department does not have any policies or
procedures to inform families when a
loved one is placed in segregation so they
may learn about their loved one’s
reclassification from another inmate or
after numerous attempts to call staff.
Some families have been told that it is
against MDOC policy to share information
with family members, even after having
their loved one sign a release of
information.

Some families reported that their loved
one was simply denied use of the phone,
even when they were not on any sanctions.
For both those inside and outside, these
phone calls are critical to uplift spirits,
decrease anxiety, and allay concerns about
safety. Families conveyed that it is difficult
to maintain closeness given the barriers to
communication and loss of privileges. It is
especially hard for children who can only
speak to their parent for a maximum of 15
minutes each week.

Families are also not regularly informed
by staff about what is happening to their
loved one while in isolation, or given any
indication of how long they will be there.
Families were especially concerned about
not being able to have regular contact
with loved ones with known physical and
mental health issues.

Eighty-five percent of family
respondents reported that they
were denied phone calls or had
visiting restrictions while their
loved one was in solitary.

Many families reported challenges with
visiting their loved ones given the limited
visiting hours. In some prisons, segregation
visits would be one day a week for just two
hours, while other prisons might have two
day choices with a 4-5 hour block of time
for visits. If their loved one was placed in
the Upper Peninsula, for example, they
would need to drive across the state not
knowing if they would make it in time.
Visitations may also be revoked altogether
as ‘loss of privilege.’ 30 Even people who
have guardianship over their loved one in
prison may not be permitted in for visits.

MDOC policy states prisoners are
permitted one 15-minute phone call each
week, but most families said that phone
calls were few and far between while in
29
solitary. People on disciplinary sanctions,
which is not uncommon in segregation,
can only have one 15-minute phone call
every thirty days.
16

THE PHYSICAL AND
EMOTIONAL TOLL
ON FAMILIES
PEOPLE IN PRISON ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES TO EXPERIENCE THE
DELETERIOUS EFFECTS OF SOLITARY ON ONE’S MENTAL HEALTH.
Nearly all family members said that they were extremely anxious, scared, and
worried for their loved ones’ safety and wellbeing while in segregation. For
some, this constant state of worry led to diagnosed anxiety disorders,
depression, panic attacks, and deep loneliness. A number of family members
have sought their own mental healthcare to deal with the overwhelming
anxiety and fear that comes with enduring solitary on the outside.

FAMILIES REPORT VARIED PHYSICAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
RELATED TO STRESS.
Family members are literally “worried sick” over their loved ones in segregation,
experiencing stress-related physical conditions such as arrhythmia, chest pains,
cracked teeth, TMJ, insomnia, nightmares, and an inability to concentrate or work.

"I have very high anxiety, extreme depression, loss of faith, my whole
life has been affected daily, I am either numb or cry all the time.”
Anytime he is even a couple hours past his normal calling time I start
to have panic attacks wondering if he has gotten hurt again.”

17

“I AM NOT THE
PERSON I WAS. I AM
FOREVER CHANGED.”
“He has three girls that
cry for him and have
depression over not
hearing his voice."

“My kids are
appalled by how
their sister is being
treated.”

“My other son and
daughter cry everyday. It
has affected their mental
states and their everyday
life. No child should have
to bear any of that.”

“It made our son
depressed to the
point of having to be
put on medication.”

“I’m honestly worried
sick, I can't eat, sleep, I
can’t even be happy in
my daily life.”

"I was constantly
breaking down,
scared if he was
ok or not."

“Both my kids cry daily
on how much they miss
their brother.”

“I’ve been in constant
fear for 23 years.”

“It’s the kind of worry
that keeps you up at
night. You can’t sleep.”

“I stopped eating and
lost 60 pounds.”

“It’s hard for me to
concentrate at work. I
am constantly worried
and anxious.”

“It stresses us all out
to the point of being
physically sick and
depressed.”

FAMILIES CONSISTENTLY REPORT FEELING FRUSTRATED, ANGRY,
AND HELPLESS
It's difficult knowing that their loved one’s mental health was deteriorating and
there was nothing they could do to help. Families are such an important
resource to help identify strategies to de-escalate problem behavior; however,
many families said they feel ignored or that their input is unwelcome.

“I know what shot works best to stop the
voices in his head but they won’t listen.”
ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AMONG CHILDREN WAS COMMON.
The impact of solitary on children with an incarcerated parent is particularly
devastating. Although the majority of people in segregation are male, there is a
growing number of women who are incarcerated, leaving many children
without their primary caregiver. 31 This separation can damage the parent-child
relationship, especially given the restrictions on visits and phone calls. As a
result, many children suffer from anxiety and depression when their parent is in
segregation.

"My mother and his daughter have often
contemplated suicide.”

19

THE LONG TERM IMPACTS
OF SOLITARY
While families are eager to have their loved ones get out of solitary, they expressed
concerns about their ability to adjust back into the general prison population. The
extent of post-traumatic effects of solitary vary but often affect one’s ability to
engage with others, making them feel paranoid, mistrusting, and short-tempered. 32
Isolation also makes people feel skittish in large groups in close proximity. The
impact on short-term memory, inability to focus, and lack of concentration makes it
difficult to do day-to-day activities. Unfortunately, these behaviors often appear as if
they are willfully ignoring rules or being disruptive, which might make someone a
target of prison violence or land them back in segregation.

“In the end, they’re making them unfit for the
real world and setting them up for failure.”
Unfortunately, the deterioration to one’s mental health during solitary may also
impact their ability to safely interact with other people when they are released to
the community. Research shows that people who experienced solitary
confinement while incarcerated are significantly more likely to meet criteria for
33
post-traumatic stress disorder after exiting prison. Furthermore, people who
experience solitary confinement have higher rates of recidivism than those who do
34
not, typically attributed to the psychological damage inflicted while in solitary.
Once returned to the community, people who have spent time in solitary
confinement are 24% more likely to die within the first year, either by suicide (78%
35
more likely), homicide (54% more likely), or opioid overdose (127% more likely).

“PTSD from prison and solitary
confinement makes it harder to
transition back to community.”

“I worry that he won’t know how
to interact.”

“He will be aggressive and
mentally unstable.”

“Even when he did get out for
a while, he was depressed
and wanted to isolate.”

DEATHS IN SOLITARY
2002

OZY VAUGHN

Died of dehydration after being placed in an observati on
cell at Riverside Correctional Facili ty. Although it was
known that Ozy' s medi cation for schizophreni a
interfered wi th his abili ty to regulate body temperature, he
was left in a cell that reached over 90 degrees. Duri ng this
time, he was observed babbling nonsensi cal words,
standi ng in one position for hours on end, appeari ng to be
in a catatonic state, excessively sweating, and vomiting. 36

2002

JEFFREY CLARK

Died of dehydration whi le in soli tary at Bellamy Creek
Correcti onal Facili ty. Even though the heat index was over
100 degrees, the water to his cel l had been turned off and
he resorted to drinki ng toi let water . Jeff ' s sister stated that
reports showed “ he had his mouth up agai nst the plexi glas
wi ndow, begging and pl eading for water and ai r. ” 37

2005

ANTHONY MCMANUS

38 years ol d, died of starvation whi le in solitary at Baraga
Maxi mum Security Prison. In an effort to control his
“ bi zarre” behavior , staff used a chemical spray on him and
restri cted his food and water . He became “ extremely
undernourished, ” going from 140 pounds to just 75 pounds
in fi ve months, wi th one of the nurses compari ng his
appearance to a “ concentration camp prisoner. ” 38

2006

TIMOTHY SOUDERS

Age 21 , died of compli cations of hyperthermia (overheating)
whi le chained to a concrete bed for four days in a solitary cel l
at Southern Michigan Correctional Facili ty. Souders , who
suffered from bi polar depressi on, was sent to solitary for
taking a shower wi thout permi ssi on. Whi le in solitary, he
broke a stool and flooded the sink in his cell , at whi ch poi nt
officers pl aced him in chains, a practice call ed “ top of bed”
restraints, for 12-17 hours at a time. When Souders began
exhi bi ting erratic behavior , mental health professionals were
not call ed. 39

Image Source: Abandon America

DEATHS IN SOLITARY
2014

DARLENE MARTIN

Placed in soli tary at Huron Valley Women’ s Correctional
Facil ity, where she exhi bi ted erratic behavior and auditory
hall uci nations. Court records reveal that , “ she was saturated
wi th fi lth and her feet were signi ficantly pruned from
standi ng in her own sewage, uri ne and excrement . ” Al though
she needed urgent medi cal treatment, the water to her cell
was shut off and staff continued to inject her wi th sedati ves,
wi thout checking her vital signs. 40 Dehydration caused her to
experience respiratory arrest, dehydration, liver and renal
failure, and a brain injury, leadi ng to her eventual death.

2014

SABRIE ALEXANDER

27 years old, died in a soli tary observation cel l at Huron
Valley Women' s Correctional Facili ty. Sabri e suffered from
numerous medi cal conditions, most notably an aggressive
41
sei zure disorder and bi-polar disorder .
Accordi ng to her
mother , Sabrie suffered 100 sei zures in the two days
leading up to her death but her repeated screams for hel p
were ignored.

2019

JONATHAN LANCASTER

38 years old, died of dehydration whi le strapped to a restrai nt
chai r in a soli tary cell at Alger Correctional Facili ty. He was
placed in segregation after exhi bi ting bi zarre behaviors,
consi stent wi th his diagnoses of bipolar disorder and
schi zophrenia. Reports show that he exhibi ted paranoia that
he was being poi soned, stood with a bl ank stare for extended
peri ods of time, crouched in a fetal positi on, refused meals,
flui ds and medi cations, had audi o and visual delusi ons, and
insomnia. Despi te repeated calls from his fami ly begging for
him to receive help - including on the day of his death - Jon
lost 50 pounds in the two weeks, ultimately dyi ng of
dehydrati on. 42

2020

ROBERT PEARSON

Died by suicide in soli tary at Marquette Branch Pri son.
Accordi ng to his family , Robert had repeatedly been
requesti ng to see a psychi atrist because he was experiencing
a mental health breakdown. Rather than respondi ng to his
psychi atri c emergency, the staff call ed him names and wrote
a violation for “ disobeyi ng a direct order , ” and took him to the
hol e. He hung himself after being in segregati on for 7 days.

Image:
Jonathan Lancaster

RECOMMENDATIONS
The damage caused by solitary confinement cannot be understated.
Family members sit in anguish as their loved ones are caged in a prison
inside a prison. When they are able to communicate with them - either by
limited phone calls, non-contact visits, or letters - they hear of degrading
treatment, harsh conditions, and thoughts of suicide.
Families are calling upon the Michigan Department of Corrections to end
this archaic and inhumane practice and join other states that are creating
safer alternatives that can achieve security without causing irreparable
harm.

The changes that are being proposed are not revolutionary. Increased
out-of-cell time, more recreation and therapeutic programming, and
meaningful connection to family members and other human beings are
simple changes that would be transformative in the lives of those
impacted by solitary confinement. On a broader scale, improved
monitoring, oversight, and systemic reform is clearly needed. Effective
alternatives to segregation do exist and families are eager to help develop
these solutions in order to make the prisons and communities safer.
23

1. Eliminate indefinite or prolonged isolation
in all it forms and for all people.
Short-term isolation should be limited to 15 days or less and only if absolutely
necessary to protect the safety of incarcerated persons and corrections staff. Even
during this time period, people should have access to consistent and meaningful
therapy, programming, and at least 4 hours out-of-cell time, if not more, each day.

2. Ban isolation for vulnerable populations,
especially youth ages 21 and younger, people with disabilities, elders over the age of
55; pregnant women and new mothers; or any individuals who have medical or
mental health issues that might be exacerbated by isolation. Segregation should be
prohibited as a form of protective custody for vulnerable groups, such as individuals
who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, and should never be
used as a mandatory punishment due to conviction of a specific crime.

3. Invest in officer training related to mental
health first aid and de-escalation techniques.
In many instances, segregation could likely be prevented altogether if de-escalation
strategies were employed. Rather than relying on chemical sprays and restraints,
custody and mental health staff should be equipped with the tools to diffuse
problem behavior before it becomes dangerous and appropriately respond to
psychiatric emergencies.

4. Replace the practice of isolation with humane,
safe, and effective alternatives.
Graduated sanctions and segregation alternatives, such as short-term deescalation cells and therapeutic cells can provide the same benefit of a “time out,”
without the deleterious effects of isolation on mental health. A therapeutic stepdown program would also help people safely transition back to general
population.

5. End the use of restraints,
such as hogtying, top of bed restraints, and chemical sprays. Not only are these
practices traumatic and painful, they can also be deadly. Alternative non-violent
interventions should be utilized to ensure the safety of both the incarcerated
person and custody staff.

6. Inform, support and encourage connection to
families with a loved one in solitary.
Each solitary unit should appoint a family liaison who informs families when their
loved one is sent to segregation, updates them on their condition, and seeks input
about treatment needs. People in solitary should be allowed regular calls and visits
to maintain family connections. The frequency and duration of visiting times should
be extended; contact visits should be permitted, especially with children; and
people should be allowed to remove shackles during non-contact visits.

7. Do not withhold food or water nor allow
people to overheat in segregation cells.
Far too many people in segregation have died from starvation, dehydration and
other inhumane conditions. Recognizing these tragedies, new procedures should
be put in place to more closely monitor food and water consumption and
document instances in which people are refusing to eat or losing weight. Likewise,
new policies must be instituted to ensure that cell temperature does not exceed 80
degrees, including use of fans and air conditioning, or opening doors or food slots.

8. Improve access to trauma-informed health and
mental health services.
Qualified clinicians should do a comprehensive review of the individual’s medical
and mental health records and, with permission, seek input from the family.
Weekly checks should be conducted by healthcare professionals and trauma
specialists to evaluate their well-being and readiness to return to the general
population. Individuals who exhibit signs of self-harm or suicide should
immediately be removed from isolation.

9. Limit loss of privileges.
People in isolation should be allowed all of their personal belongings, rather than
having to earn them based on good behavior. Likewise, people should have
access to items to help keep them occupied, such as television, music, or tablets.
Loss of privileges should be limited to one or two items so that people do not
wind up losing all privileges for years and years.

10. Ensure transparency, accountability, and
independent oversight
in the use of isolation and in conditions of confinement in general. An independent
oversight committee that includes families should be established to respond to
concerns and monitor trends in the use of segregation.

“The damage that
is done in solitary
cannot be undone.
It cannot be
reversed. We need
to take action
now so that no
other mother
needs to watch
her child suffer.”

WORKS CITED
1. Gordon, S. (2014). Solitary Confinement, Public Safety and Recidivism. University of Michigan
Journal of Law Reform, 47(2), 495-528.
2. Michigan Department of Corrections, Distribution of Prison Population by Cell Type by Race
(June 11, 2020).
3. Lobel, J. (2016). The Liman Report and Alternatives to Prolonged Solitary Confinement. The Yale
Law Journal Forum,125, 238-245.
4. Michigan Department of Corrections, Distribution of Prison Population by Cell Type by Race
(June 11, 2020).
5. Michigan Department of Corrections, Offender Management System, Offender Census
Summary Report, May 2020, Report No. CB-971 141106 v1.1; Michigan Department of Corrections
Policy Directive 04.05.120 “Segregation Standards.” Accessed:
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/corrections/04_05_120_656619_7.pdf
6. Michigan Department of Corrections, Distribution of Prison Population by Cell Type by Race
(June 11, 2020).
7. Ibid.
8. Ibid.
9. Ibid.
10. Ibid.
11. Michigan Department of Corrections, Length of Time Data. Compiled by MDOC Research
Department and provided by Kyle Kaminski via email on July 30, 2020. Note: the statistics
provided only included a total count of 378 people in administrative segregation and Level 5
combined, which is inconsistent with the statistics in the Offender Management System
accessed on June 11, 2020.
12. United Nations Office of the High Commissioner (2020). "United States: prolonged solitary
confinement amounts to psychological torture, says UN expert." Accessed:
https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25633
13. Michigan Department of Corrections Policy Directive 04.05.120 “Segregation Standards.”
14. Braggs v. Dunn, 257 F. Supp. 3d 1171 (M.D. Ala. 2017); Metzner, J. and Fellner, J. (2010). “Solitary
Confinement and Mental Illness in U.S. Prisons: A Challenge for Medical Ethics.” Journal of the
American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online, 38 (1) 104-108.
15. Michigan Department of Corrections Policy Directive 03.03.105 “Prisoner Discipline.” Accessed:
https://www.michigan.gov/documents/corrections/03_03_105_626671_7.pdf
16. Michigan Department of Corrections Policy Directive 03.03.105 “Prisoner Discipline.” states,
“Unless the hearing officer identifies specific privileges to be lost, a loss of privileges sanction
includes all privileges.”
17. Michigan Department of Corrections Policy Directive 04.05.120 “Segregation Standards.”
18. Valerie v. Michigan Department of Corrections, Case No. 2:07-cv-5 (W.D. Mich. Jul. 22, 2009).
Accessed: https://casetext.com/case/valarie-v-michigan-department-of-corrections-2
19. Michigan Department of Corrections Policy Directive 04.05.120 “Segregation Standards.”
20. Alexander, E. and Streeter, P. (2013). Isolated Confinement in Michigan: Mapping the Circles of
Hell, Michigan Journal of Race and Law, 18, 251-274.
21. Kaba. F., Lewis, A., Glowa-Kollisch, S., Hadler, J., Lee, D., Alper, H., Selling, D., MacDonald, R.,
Solimo, A., Parsons, A., Venters, H. (2014). Solitary Confinement and Risk of Self-Harm Among
Jail Inmates. American Journal of Public Health, 104(3): 442–447.
22. Toch, H. (1975). Men in crisis: Human Breakdowns in Prison. Chicago, IL: Aldine Publishing Co.
23. Michigan Department of Corrections Strategic Plan 2019-2022.
24. Chammah, M. (January 7, 2016). “How to Get Out of Solitary - One Step at a Time.” The Marshall
Project. Retrieved from: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2016/01/07/how-to-get-out-ofsolitary-one-step-at-a-time.
25. Michigan Department of Corrections Policy Directive 04.05.120 “Segregation Standards.”
26. Ibid.

27

WORKS CITED
27. Report the Legislature. Pursuant to P.A. 64 of 2019 Section 925, Administrative Segregation
Report. https://www.michigan.gov/documents/corrections/Sec_925_699869_7.pdf
28. Spinaris, C. and Brocato, N. (2019). Descriptive Study of Michigan Department of Corrections
Staff Well-being: Contributing Factors, Outcomes, and Actionable Solutions. Florence, CO: Desert
Waters Correctional Outreach and Gallium Social Sciences. This project was funded under
Purchase Order # 190000002121 from the Michigan Department of Corrections.
29. Michigan Department of Corrections Policy Directive 04.05.120 “Segregation Standards.”
30. Michigan Department of Corrections Policy Directive 03.03.105 “Prisoner Discipline.” Appendix E,
which outlines loss of privileges states, “Visiting. This applies only if hearing officer identified in the
hearing report that the misconduct occurred in connection with a visit, and only with the visitor
named in the hearing report.”
31. Glaze, L. & Maruschak, L. (2008). “Parents in Prison and their Minor Children, Bureau of Justice
Statistics. Accessed: http://www.bjs.gov/ content/pub/pdf/pptmc.pdf cf. American Civil Liberties
Union (2019). “Still Worse Than Second Class: Solitary Confinement of Women in the United States.”
New York, NY: Author.
32. Hagan, B., Wang, E., Aminawung, J., Albizu-Garcia, C., Zaller, N., Nyamu, S., Shavit, S., Deluca, J.,
Fox., A., and Transitions Clinic Network, (2018). History of Solitary Confinement Is Associated with
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Individuals Recently Released from Prison.
Journal of Urban Health, 95(2): 141–148.
33. Ibid.
34. Gordon. S. (2014).
35. Brinkley-Rubinstein, L., Sivaraman, J., Rosen, D. et al (2019). Association of Restrictive Housing
During Incarceration With Mortality After Release. Journal of American Medical Association, 2(10).
36. Alexander, E. and Streeter, P. (2013). Isolated Confinement in Michigan: Mapping the Circles of
Hell, Michigan Journal of Race and Law, 18, 251-274; Dannenberg, J. (2008). Sixth Circuit: $4.5 Million
Award Upheld Against Michigan DOC Doctor in Dehydration Death of Mentally Ill Prisoner Prison
Legal News, a project of the Human Rights Defense Center. Accessed:
https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2008/oct/15/sixth-circuit-45-million-award-upheld-againstmichigan-8232doc-doctor-in-dehydration-death-of-mentally-ill-prisoner/
37. Bonita Clark-Murphy v Forebeck et al, Case No. 439 F.3d 280 (US Court of Appeals for the Sixth
Circuit, November 2, 2005) Accessed: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellatecourts/F3/439/280/549917/; Pelley, S. (2008). The Death of Timothy Souders: The Plight of the
Mentally Ill Behind Bars. 60 Minutes. New York, NY: CBS News. Accessed:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-death-of-timothy-souders
38. Valerie v. Michigan Department of Corrections, Case No. 2:07-cv-5 (W.D. Mich. Jul. 22, 2009).
Accessed: https://casetext.com/case/valarie-v-michigan-department-of-corrections-2
39. Pelley, S. (2008). The Death of Timothy Souders: The Plight of the Mentally Ill Behind Bars. 60
Minutes. New York, NY: CBS News. Accessed: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-death-oftimothy-souders
40. Martin v. Michigan Department of Corrections et al, No. 2:2017-cv-11845 - Document 147 (E.D.
Mich. 2018); Egan, P. (2019). Mentally ill Michigan inmate died after water shut off in cell, family
awarded $1.2M. Detroit, MI: Detroit Free Press. Accessed:
https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/10/09/darlene-martin-prison-lawsuitmichigan-huron-valley/3917459002/
41. Obomanu v Warren et al, No. 4:17-cv-11435 (E.D. Mich. June 18, 2018). Accessed:
https://casetext.com/case/obomanu-v-warren-1
42 Moran, D. (2020). Michigan prison staff ignored inmate who lost 51 pounds weeks before death,
lawsuit says. Detroit, MI: Detroit Free Press.
Accessed:https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2020/01/31/michigan-prison-staffignored-inmate-before-death-lawsuit-says/4626204002/

28

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Citizens for Prison Reform (269) 339-0606 info@micpr.org micpr.org