Support the End Solitary Confinement Act Now

Confront the Lasting Damage of Solitary Confinement Solitary confinement is torture, not rehabilitation. Every day, thousands are locked in cells the size of a parking space for 22 to 24 hours, for weeks or months, and in documented cases, years. Research is clear: solitary confinement causes suicide, depression, psychosis, heart disease, and lasting trauma. Human rights organizations worldwide condemn the practice, and the United Nations prohibits solitary beyond 15 days under the Mandela Rules as a form of torture. Yet tens of thousands in the United States remain in isolation well beyond this limit. Support Passage of the End Solitary Confinement Act Senator Edward J. Markey and Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove have reintroduced the End Solitary Confinement Act - H.R. 4682 in the House and S. 2477 in the Senate. This legislation would: • Ban solitary beyond four hours, and only allow it in narrow emergency de-escalation circumstances • Protect vulnerable populations, including elderly people, pregnant individuals, and those with mental health conditions • Guarantee meaningful daily out-of-cell time, access to programming, and rehabilitative services • Establish due process protections, independent oversight, and transparent reporting requirements • Incentivize states and local jurisdictions to follow these standards These reforms recognize that people do not improve when locked in a concrete box - they deteriorate, harming both themselves and society when they return. Act on the Moral and Practical Case for Reform Solitary does not enhance safety. Instead, it destabilizes individuals, increasing harm to themselves, others, and their communities after release. Studies show that limiting solitary reduces self-harm, recidivism, and even staff assaults. States like Colorado and New Jersey have enacted major limits; Colorado reports declines in staff assaults following reforms, and New Jersey law restricts duration and protects vulnerable populations. It is time for Congress to make these humane practices the national standard. Use Your Leadership to End This Abuse As your constituent, I urge you to co-sponsor H.R. 4682 / S. 2477, press for hearings, and advocate for swift passage. Ending solitary confinement is about human dignity, constitutional rights, and basic decency. Every day it continues, irreparable harm is inflicted, particularly on marginalized groups - including Black and Brown communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities - who are disproportionately placed in isolation. Stand for Humanity and Justice I urge you to stand for humanity and justice. By ending solitary confinement in federal custody and encouraging states to follow, you can help lead the United States out of the shame of legalized torture and toward a justice system built on rehabilitation, safety, and dignity.