272757 Solitary confinement: Medical and psychiatric consequences

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 2:30 PM - 2:55 PM

Terry Kupers, MD, MSP , The Wright Institute, Oakland, California, CA
     
Departments of Correction are utilizing solitary confinement as a measure to control prison violence and other problems. The expanded utilization of solitary confinement is of questionable value but causes harm in terms of medical and psychiatric health. The author will report on his clinical field research and interviews with prisoners in California Security Housing Units. Dangers of solitary confinement are discussed and some alternatives are explored.

Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Advocacy for health and health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Ethics, professional and legal requirements
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the hazards of long-term solitary confinement in prison Assess the penological objectives in resorting to solitary confinement Identify the health and mental health risks of solitary confinement

Keywords: Human Rights, Prison

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have over 30 years experience studying mental health in prisons and jails.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3357.0: Invited Session: Multi-Year Solitary Confinement in California and the Prisoner Hunger Strikes of 2011-12