Have you heard of spilling the tea? It’s a slang term for sharing gossip, inside information, or exclusive details. It’s not just a conversation starter, but also a call to action.
Today, I want to spill the tea on a topic that hits close to home for me: solitary confinement.
I’ve witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of it on individuals, families, and communities. Often used by officials to keep prisoners in line, this punishment has long-lasting impacts on mental health that many experts are sounding the alarm on.
The soaring rates of mental health disorders
My own family has numerous experiences with mental health challenges. I’ve seen family members battle schizophrenia, grapple with anxiety disorders, struggle with depression, and more.
By witnessing this, I’ve learned that mental health is a fundamental part of our lives. It deserves attention, understanding and support.
Recently, I was made aware of a young adult who has struggled with mental health challenges since adolescence found themselves once again in the grip of a crisis. Instead of receiving the care she desperately needed for bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, she was incarcerated and placed in solitary confinement for more than 30 days.
Solitary confinement is a practice that isolates individuals for days, weeks, months, or even years, according to North Carolina Health News. People are often placed in cramped cells with minimal human contact or stimulation. They eat in the cells and are restricted on when and how they exercise and shower.
In another case a young adult was put in prison, he served two out of 12 years in solitary confinement.
While some critics call it torture, jail officials use it to disciple or punish inmates and maintain order, according to Prison Policy Initiative.
National experts, though, caution that solitary confinement is an outdated approach that shouldn’t be heavily relied on.
The long-lasting, negative impacts of solitary confinement
When jail officials lean on solitary confinement, it exacerbates the mental health struggles of prisoners. This isolation can lead to profound and lasting harm for all, especially adolescents and young adults.
Studies have shown that prolonged solitary confinement has devastating effects on both mental and physical health. From heightened anxiety and depression to increased risk of self-harm and suicide, the toll is staggering. It even impacts prisoners’ abilities to reason, make decisions, and solve problems. Time spent in solitary confinement can also shorten lifespans, even after release.
At the 2020 International Symposium on Solitary Confinement, researchers made it clear that the positive benefits of solitary confinement do not outweigh the harm it does.
Despite repeated evidence and testimonies of its harm, solitary confinement remains a widely used practice in prisons and jails across the United States.
In North Carolina alone, around 3,000 people are held in solitary confinement at any given time, according to Disability Rights NC. That is about 10% of North Carolina’s overall prison population.
Advocating for a different approach
But there is hope on the horizon.
Advocates are working tirelessly to raise awareness about the devastating impact of solitary confinement and push for reform. Many organizations are pushing for an end to the practice altogether and calling for alternative approaches that prioritize rehabilitation and well-being.
For instance, Disability Rights NC is raising awareness about the physical and psychological harm experienced by a person subject to such confinement.
As a society, we must recognize that solitary confinement is not just a criminal justice issue; it’s a mental health issue, a human rights issue, and a moral issue. We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the suffering endured by those trapped in solitary confinement, nor can we ignore the long-term consequences for individuals, families, and communities.
It’s time to come together, amplify the voices of those impacted by solitary confinement, and demand change.
We must invest in mental health resources, prioritize prevention and early intervention, and ensure that every individual receives the care and support they need to thrive regardless of circumstances.
This May as we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, we need to see the mental health struggles happening in our own prisons to countless youth and young adults. Educate your children, friends, and family about this topic.
Do you know someone in jail? Don’t let the stigma of mental health keep them from sharing about their struggles. Don’t let the voices of those incarcerated be silent.
Gale McKoy Wilkins is a Certified Family Life Coach Expert who specializes in teen and parent coaching. Gale also serves as the founder of the nonprofit Family Education Initiative and the family life coaching organization Project Arrow. She is a current member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Family Life Coaching Association (FLCA). She has a master’s degree in leadership and a graduate certificate in family life coaching, youth, family, and community from North Carolina State University.