End Solitary Confinement Act (H.R. 4682)

Summary

Ends the use of solitary confinement in federal facilities and sets new rules for at least 14 hours of daily out-of-cell group time for all inmates.

What problem does this solve?

Solitary confinement causes severe physical and mental harm and is used unfairly against people of color and other vulnerable groups. This bill bans the practice and replaces it with required group activities, therapy, and independent oversight to ensure humane treatment.

What does this bill do?

Bans solitary confinement

Prohibits placing any person in a federal facility in solitary confinement, defined as being confined without access to meaningful group interaction.

Mandates daily group interaction

Requires that all incarcerated people get at least 14 hours of out-of-cell time with others in a shared space each day, including 7 hours of structured programs.

Protects vulnerable groups

Forbids the use of emergency confinement for people who are 25 or younger, 55 or older, pregnant, have a disability or mental health need, or identify as LGBTQ+.

Creates independent oversight

Establishes a community monitoring body with the power to make unannounced visits to all federal facilities to ensure the law is being followed.

Allows people to sue for violations

Gives incarcerated people the right to file a civil lawsuit for money damages if they are illegally placed in solitary confinement or have their rights under this act violated.

Reduces funding for non-compliant states

Cuts federal justice grants by at least 10% for states and localities that do not adopt laws similar to this act to end solitary confinement in their own facilities.

Requires public reporting

Mandates that federal agencies publish quarterly reports on their websites with data on the use of separation, self-harm, and suicides in their facilities.

Establishes strict due process hearings

Requires a hearing before a neutral decision-maker before a person can be separated into an 'alternative unit,' with the right to a representative and to present evidence.

Who does this affect?

People in federal prisons and detention centers
Federal correctional staff
State and local governments receiving federal justice grants

What is the real world impact?

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Promotes humane treatment

Aims to stop a practice that is widely considered a form of torture, which causes severe and lasting psychological and physical harm to incarcerated people.

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Addresses systemic inequality

Seeks to correct the unfair use of solitary confinement, which is disproportionately used against Black, Latinx, Native, and LGBTQ+ people, as well as those with mental health needs.

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Increases transparency and oversight

Creates a new, independent community monitoring body with the power to make unannounced visits to facilities, ensuring that the ban is enforced and that conditions are safe and humane.

When does this start?

If passed, this law would go into effect within 60 days.

Community monitoring body established

The Attorney General must create the independent community monitoring body within 90 days of the law passing.

State compliance deadline

States and localities receiving certain federal funds must prove they have similar laws in place within 180 days of the law passing to avoid funding cuts.

Quarterly data reporting begins

Federal agencies must start publishing quarterly reports on their use of separation and incidents of self-harm, with the first report due 15 days after the end of the first quarter.