Solitary Confinement

Introduction: 

Hello Lakeside community, and thank you for checking out the Lakeside Leo. In this edition, we’re excited to announce that we’ve written two rather special articles, which are right below this: One by ChatGPT and one by a human. One article describes the evils of solitary confinement, while the other details its virtues. Once you read the articles, vote on which article you thought was writen by AI here.

Thank you for reading, and have fun!

Article One:

Imagine that you are in a small room. It’s dank, dark, and sparse. There’s a hard, unforgiving bed on one side, and a toilet on the other. To your right is a single window, made of thick iron bars, and, aside from a little patch of gray from a neighboring wall and the tiniest hint of sunlight, hardly anything can be seen from it. There are no other openings, no doors of any sort. You are the only person in the room. And no, I’m not going to ask you how to escape.

Instead, you are stuck in this room for a time that’s interminable. You’re given just enough food and water to keep you alive. Nothing more. Unproductive hours stretch into days of boredom, which stretch into months and years of desperation for human contact. Your body loses the rhythm it once took for granted; all you can do now is choke down your meager rations and hope that you’ll be let out soon.

This is the essence of solitary confinement. Solitary confinement occurs when a prisoner is judged as dangerous to those around them, or when those around them are dangerous to the prisoner. These individuals are removed from a general prison and placed in a special cell where they keep to themselves. They do not talk to or interact with anyone, and are unable to find other ways to engage themselves. They simply wait until their sentence is up.

Over long stretches of time, solitary confinement can evolve into torture. Without a purpose, without a schedule, the mind deteriorates. We all complain about the busyness of school and sports and whatnot, but without this structure to our lives, we would be lost.

In fact, feeling “lost” is not the worst of it. There are tremendous emotional effects that stem from solitary confinement. Studies show that, after being in solitary confinement, people are more likely to die by suicide. Clearly, solitary confinement’s emotional implications are extensive, in many cases leaving a human’s ability to understand others’ emotions and feel their own a complete mess. After being in solitary, some say they can’t handle the most basic sensory stimulation, such as the sound of plumbing. They might suffer frequent, severe panic attacks. 

Here’s the thing: these studies aren’t just theoretical, as if someone did some research on what would happen to the brain after this period of stress. Real people who actually went through solitary confinement are suffering these syndromes. Notably, a man named Robert King could not properly communicate, at least with the ease that the rest of us can, after being released from solitary confinement, describing the cause as an “emotional numbness.”

Instead of putting prisoners through this potentially lethal emotional gauntlet, prisons ought to focus more on therapy and education, in addition to other support systems such as rehab, for their inmates. Rather than being put through an atrocious experience that is almost worse than violence, inmates who are judged to be dangerous should be able to talk to someone, to see the wrong that they did, and repent. Instead of being caged like wild animals, we ought to treat them as human beings deserving of mercy. Because that’s who they are.

Maybe these people shouldn’t be kept with the general prison population, but if they must be placed in a removed chamber, they should at least have easy access and frequent connections with mental health personnel and real human beings to talk to.

When we place people in solitary confinement, we stop trusting in that person’s moral compass. We stop believing that the person can change or improve. And losing faith in humanity… that’s simply something we cannot do.

Article Two:

Solitary confinement is used as a form of punishment or protection in correctional facilities. It involves placing an inmate in a cell by themselves for 22-24 hours a day, with limited interaction with others. In some cases, solitary confinement is used as a temporary measure to isolate an individual who has committed a serious infraction or poses a threat to others. In other cases, it is used as a form of long-term punishment for those who are considered dangerous or disruptive.

One argument in favor of solitary confinement is that it can improve safety within the correctional facility. Inmates who pose a threat to others can be isolated to prevent further violence or disruption. This can prevent fights, gang activity, and other forms of aggression that can occur within a prison. By separating these individuals, staff can maintain better control over the facility and keep other inmates safe.

In addition, solitary confinement can also be beneficial for the inmate themselves. In some cases, individuals who have been placed in solitary confinement have used this time to reflect on their behavior and make positive changes. Solitary confinement provides an opportunity for the individual to reflect on their actions and consider the impact they have had on others. This can lead to a greater sense of accountability and personal responsibility.

Furthermore, solitary confinement can be used as a tool for rehabilitation. In some cases, individuals who have committed serious infractions may need to be isolated from others in order to receive appropriate treatment and support. For example, individuals who are struggling with addiction or mental health issues may require specialized care that cannot be provided within the general population. In these cases, solitary confinement can provide a safe and secure environment where the individual can receive the help they need.

It is also important to note that solitary confinement is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Correctional facilities have a responsibility to ensure that the use of solitary confinement is appropriate and proportional to the infraction committed. Inmates who are placed in solitary confinement should have access to necessary medical care, educational programs, and other resources that can help them make positive changes.

Finally, it is worth noting that solitary confinement can be an effective means of controlling the behavior of inmates who have repeatedly violated prison rules. By isolating these individuals, staff can send a clear message that certain behaviors will not be tolerated and can provide an opportunity for the inmate to reflect on their actions. This can lead to improved behavior and a safer prison environment for everyone.

In conclusion, while solitary confinement is a highly controversial issue, there are arguments in favor of its use. Solitary confinement can improve safety within the correctional facility, provide an opportunity for reflection and rehabilitation, and serve as an effective means of controlling the behavior of inmates who have repeatedly violated prison rules. However, it is important to ensure that the use of solitary confinement is appropriate, proportional, and provides inmates with access to necessary resources and support.

Here’s where you can vote on who you think wrote which article: ChatGPT vs. Human