Solitary Confinement in Jail: A Personal Choice and Its Consequences
The question of solitary confinement in jail continues to be a topic of deep debate and introspection. A common scenario is when an inmate must choose their living conditions for a long period, such as 10 years. Would you prefer the isolation of a cell, the companionship of others, or a balanced approach with occasional visits and books?
Personal Preferences and Rational Decisions
Some individuals, such as introverts or those comfortable with solitary living, may lean towards the solitude of a cell. For example, one person with a clear preference for solitude and occasional access to books stated:
Put me in solitary give me 10 books a MONTH and you can let me know when I’m done. I’ll take solitary. Don’t have to deal with mindless convicts, no rivalries, no bad-ass idiots, no jailhouse games. It’s better to avoid all that.
Another individual, also comfortable with isolated living, echoed similar sentiments:
If you had a choice while in jail for 10 years, would you prefer to be in solitary confinement for that time you can talk to a priest or one visitor or live amongst general population in cells of 10? You are also allowed to take 10 books with you. Oh I’d much rather be in solitary than crammed in with a bunch of possibly violent, unpredictable, or mentally unstable criminals. I’m a solitary introvert anyway, and I seldom have interactions with people, especially if I can communicate through the internet instead of face to face. So solitary wouldn’t be much of a punishment, especially if I had access to books. The occasional visit from a friend or a priest would satisfy my need to actually see and speak to a real person.
However, others view solitary confinement as an insurmountable challenge. Comments against solitary confinement highlight the inherent issues with isolation, especially when a reasonable supply of books is not provided.
These guys asking for solitary are nuts! 10 Books for 10 years, I could read 10 books in 10 weeks and then be bored out of my mind. General population all the way! I don’t care how rough they are. When you are locked up, they become your new friends of circumstance. Basic respect is all it takes to build camaraderie. Discussions, card games—even just hanging out—is easier when you have people going through the same thing with you. General population privileges like a radio, the TV in the common area, phone calls, mail, and a steady stream of books all help with the monotony as well.
One individual, a former inmate, recounts their experience:
Solitary confinement is a short path to insanity. It makes the minutes feel like hours and the weeks feel like months. Humans are social creatures. It will destroy your mental health to be locked in solitary. I was locked up for 6 months for a weed misdemeanor, but it would have felt like 6 years in solitary. Solitary is a severe and inhumane punishment.
East vs West: Personal Experiences with Solitary Confinement
Older individuals, like one 78-year-old retiree, have their own views on solitary confinement:
Having been in both at my age, 78, I would likely opt for solitary. Even at my age, I’m not much of a “joiner” and my personality would not allow me to be bullied or put upon. In the general population of today, I probably wouldn’t last too long.
Despite the challenges of solitary confinement, personal experiences and preferences vary widely, highlighting the complex and multifaceted nature of incarceration. Depending on individual circumstances and psychological predispositions, the choice between solitary confinement and the general population can significantly impact quality of life and overall mental health.
Keywords: solitary confinement, jail population, mental health