Roshana R. Gopal, B.M.S. College of Law, Basavangudi
ABSTRACT
Solitary Confinement (hereon, SC) is a form of punishment where the inmates live in single cells with little to no contact with others. It is usually practiced to protect an inmate against a threat or as a form of disciplinary segregation. Indian penal code under section 731 allows for this rigorous punishment to be exercised for a period not exceeding 3 months on the whole, but, globally, there are prisoners who are rotting in "the Hole" 2 for decades. It is an established fact that these inmates exhibit signs of mental illness from anxiety to cognitive disturbances and paranoia. They are susceptible to self-harm. They have weakened voice-box, reduced eye-sight, and suffer from heart palpitations. The phenomenon of 'social death' makes it seemingly impossible to restore these inmates to normal life after they are released. Anybody coming out of this desolate room is incapable of not committing a further offense and its deterrence is but a hollow claim.
This research paper is a study of the repercussions of Solitary Confinement on Reoffence, the extent of Deterrence, and the quality of Rehabilitation.
Keywords: Solitary Confinement, Punishment, Reoffence, Deterrence, Mental health, Rehabilitation, Prison, Disciplinary Segregation, Isolation
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