ABSTRACT
Solitary confinement is an extreme form of incarceration, arguably second in its severity only to the death penalty (Shalev 2008) and a practice which, in some circumstances, constitutes a form of torture or inhumane or degrading treatment. This chapter defines basic terms and examines when and why solitary confinement is used, including some case studies from across the world. It also examines research findings on the health effects of solitary confinement and how those are affected by the circumstances of its use and the vulnerability of the individual. The chapter summarizes guidance on how to assess the use and effects of solitary confinement when monitoring places of detention. The chapter concludes by looking at recent developments in international efforts to limit the use of solitary confinement and proposing a number of safeguards to restrict its use in all but the most necessary cases for as short a time as possible.
