The Torture of Isolation: The Negative Effects of Solitary Confinement

Abstract

Solitary confinement is a popular form of punishment for misbehaving inmates in United States’ prison systems. However, the question surrounding solitary confinement is the psychological effect on solitary confinement inmates. Two studies were analyzed to determine not only what the effects of isolation were, but how the findings from these studies could be applied to the field of psychology and everyday life. Even with the drastic difference in sample size and data collection methods between the two studies, the results from both studies were that solitary confinement has lasting negative psychological effects. It causes incarcerated individuals to be at increased risk for mild psychosis, self harm, anxiety, and depression. This mental decline can be explained with social and developmental psychology, namely ostracism and Erikson’s developmental stages, which both demonstrate why social relationships are necessary for personal well being. The information from this research also exemplifies why people are averse to social isolation, for instance, the mandated quarantine and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The concern is how these lasting psychological effects impact the ability of these individuals to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into general society.