Adams Blocks Law That Bans Solitary Confinement in New York Jails

In a landmark decision, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed a bill into law that bans the use of solitary confinement in the state’s jails. The legislation, known as the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, will prohibit the use of solitary confinement for more than 15 consecutive days and impose strict limits on its use for all inmates, including those with mental health issues.

The use of solitary confinement, also known as “segregation” or “isolation,” involves confining individuals to a small cell for 23 hours a day with limited human contact. This practice has been widely criticized by human rights advocates, medical professionals, and legal experts for its harmful effects on mental health and overall well-being.

The HALT Solitary Confinement Act aims to address these concerns by implementing a more humane and effective approach to managing behavior in correctional facilities. Under the new law, correctional facilities will be required to provide alternative forms of intervention and support for inmates who exhibit problematic behavior, such as counseling, therapy, and educational programs.

In addition, the law establishes strict guidelines for the use of restrictive housing, including regular mental health evaluations, increased oversight by independent monitors, and the creation of a new unit within the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to oversee the implementation of the legislation.

Governor Cuomo praised the passage of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act as a significant step forward in reforming the state’s criminal justice system and promoting a more humane and rehabilitative approach to incarceration. He stated, “This law will help ensure that New York’s jails are places of rehabilitation and redemption, rather than punishment and isolation.”

The decision to ban solitary confinement in New York jails comes after years of advocacy and activism by organizations such as the New York Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement (CAIC) and the #HALTsolitary campaign. These groups have long argued that solitary confinement is a form of torture that has no place in a civilized society.

With the signing of the HALT Solitary Confinement Act, New York becomes one of the first states in the nation to take a bold stand against the use of solitary confinement in its correctional facilities. Advocates hope that this legislation will serve as a model for other states to follow and lead to a broader movement to end the practice of solitary confinement nationwide.