Academic assessments of the American penal complex frequently suffer from an excess of theoretical abstraction, entirely ignoring the concrete, daily realities of institutional management and human confinement. When evaluating any modern book about reforming prisons, it is essential to determine whether the author offers actionable policy adjustments or merely reiterates standard, safe...
Human beings are inherently social creatures, relying on continuous interaction and sensory input to maintain a stable mental state. When an individual is placed into solitary confinement, typically for twenty-three hours a day, this necessary input is completely severed. The walls of a restricted housing unit offer nothing but sensory deprivation, replacing natural light and conversation with...
