NCJ Number
245393
Date Published
2013
Length
25 pages
Annotation
Based on 18 months of research, this report argues against the past and continued use of solitary confinement by the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) in managing mentally ill inmates and recommends bringing Colorado's prisons in compliance with modern psychiatric, correctional, and legal standards.
Abstract
The study found that although the Residential Treatment Program was begun in early 2013 to provide intensive mental health care to prisoners with the most significant mental health needs, the CDOC continues to use solitary confinement in managing many mentally ill prisoners. As of March 2013, CDOC housed as least 87 seriously mentally ill prisoners in solitary confinement, 54 of whom have been living in isolation for over a year and 14 of whom have been in solitary confinement for over 4 years. The study also determined that prisoners with moderate to severe psychiatric needs now constitute a majority of those in solitary confinement in Colorado. Prison staff resorted to solitary confinement for mentally ill prisoners because they have difficulty in complying with the strict behavioral expectations required for prison order. Solitary confinement causes further deterioration in the mental health of the prisoner, ensuring that they will be less likely to return to the general prison population, not to mention a return to life in the community upon completion of their sentences. This report recommends that the CDOC adopt a policy that forbids placing seriously mentally ill prisoners in prolonged solitary confinement or administrative segregation. Further, the Residential Treatment Program (RTP) should provide a minimum of 20 hours of out-of-cell time per week, including 10 hours of dedicated therapeutic time. In order to pursue such a policy, the CDOC must have the funding and the commitment to fill all of the mental health staff positions, particularly positions for psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses. 41 notes and documenting photos