How do you guys feel about supermax units (aka SHU's, Ad-seg, DDU's, solitary)?

[Foxy78]

Been reading a lot about these types of units as I find the topic interesting. From the literature out there, it seems that 99% of it says that they do more harm than good. It has been well documented that placing someone into a small room for 23 hours a day and severly limiting their human contact, as well as sensory stimuli, can have some serious negative effects on mental health. And most prisoners in these types of units will eventually be released back into society some day. Whats scary is a lot of them go directly from solitary to the street, sometimes after being there for years. Also, they have little oppurtunity for any kind of rehabilitation programs while confined in isolation.

I agree that some inmates truly belong in isolation units. The safety of the staff and other inmates should always come first. But the problem is (again, from what I have read) that these units are often housing prisoners who do not qualify as 'the worst of the worst'. During the 'get tougher on crime' era of the 90's, our federal and state goverments spent big bucks to build supermax prisons and isolation units - designed specifically to confine the 'worst of the worst'. Well guess what - it turns out maybe we didn't need to build all of those cells after all. But to justify the cost of all those tax dollars, they are pressured to fill these facilities to capacity.

It seems that the reality of many of these units and facilities is that they become a dumping ground for inmates that no one else wants to deal with; particularly the mentally ill. While in isolation, many inmates are simply 'warehoused'. They are not provided with any oppurtunities for education or training. They have almost no contact with their families or ANYONE for that matter. In fact, many of these facilities were purposely built in areas that are hundreds of miles from civilization. Even if the family wants to visit, they often cannot afford the trip. Sane inmates begin to show signs of acute mental illness. And mentally ill inmates become more mentally ill. It is well-documented in the research literature. Some people might think "they are inmates - who cares?" But the problem is that many of these inmates could be our neighbours someday.

Sure we are not corrections workers in the same sense that officers and wardens are. We are healthcare professionals. But as healthcare professionals, shouldn't we advocate for our patient's physical and mental health? I'm just curious to see what you all have to say about this and what experiences you've had. And again, I'm not saying that there aren't prisoners who belong in isolation because some of them definitely do. I realize too that I am basing all of this from what I have read (from many, many sources). I have yet to work in corrections (1st interview next week) and I have not been in your shoes yet. Just wondering if anyone has felt conflicted as far as ethics regarding this.

[Foxy78]

I should point out too that since these facilities have been built, there has not been a significant reduction in violence within our prisons - part of the purpose of these facilities was to reduce violence among the general prison population.

Ultimately this is an issue that is going to effect our communities outside prison walls. And I don't know about your state, but a lot of community-based mental health services have been cut here.

[RN.38SPCL]

I understand alot of what you have read. But you can google just about any subject these days. Try googleing " prison transition programs" or transition from prison to society" and see what you come up with. i have not done it yet but in my state and local area there are new programs popping up all over. It's about time! I agree on inmates had no actual reform in the recent past. We are now focusing on integrating this individual back into society by offering time off their sentence if they participate. They are moved to a (halfway house) of sorts after completeing extensive training. They are provided with employment from local buisinesses who agree to hire ex-cons. It is still in the rough but hey, it's looking better! as far as the mental issues developing in a normal person who is locked down, yeah. That is supposed to be uncomfortable so they don't want to come back.

[VegRN]

Sorry, but inmates are assigned to their security classification based on their behavior after they are incarcerated. I don't feel sorry for them. The inmates that are in supermax facilities got there because they earned it. And they can earn increased privileges by following the rules and can earn being transferred to a facility with lower security.

Sorry if you feel it is inhumane but these are people that cannot get along in society and cannot get along in the general prison population. From what I have seen, they have earned it.

[RN.38SPCL]

Sorry, but inmates are assigned to their security classification based on their behavior after they are incarcerated. I don't feel sorry for them. The inmates that are in supermax facilities got there because they earned it. And they can earn increased privileges by following the rules and can earn being transferred to a facility with lower security.

Sorry if you feel it is inhumane but these are people that cannot get along in society and cannot get along in the general prison population. From what I have seen, they have earned it.

True, the only ones that will make it through the Transition programs are the ones who simply made a grievous error and have not lived their entire lives committing crimes and living in correctional facilities.