National Religious Campaign Against Torture (NRCAT):  The End Solitary Confinement Act, introduced in the U.S. House and Senate in 2023, is a groundbreaking bill that would end solitary confinement in federal prisons, immigration detention centers, and other federal and federally contracted facilities. With colleagues in the Federal Anti-Solitary Taskforce, Johnny Perez, Director of NRCAT's U.S. Prisons Program, participated in a Senate briefing on the bill in December 2023 (picture on the left).  

The four proposals outlined in the blueprint aim to end solitary confinement and promote humane alternatives within the federal government and beyond. Proposal 1 seeks to eliminate solitary confinement except in emergency situations, with strict time limits and protections for vulnerable populations. Proposal 2 focuses on ensuring that alternatives to solitary involve full days of out-of-cell time and congregate programming to address the root causes of harmful behaviors. Proposal 3 emphasizes due process protections, including neutral decision-makers and the right to representation, to ensure fairness and prevent bias in decisions leading to separation or alternatives. Proposal 4 calls for oversight and enforcement mechanisms such as data collection, independent oversight, and a private cause of action to protect individuals' rights and provide avenues for recourse in cases of wrongful placement in solitary confinement. Together, these proposals strive to transform the approach to correctional practices, prioritizing safety, dignity, and rehabilitation over punitive isolation.