New Jersey prisons are violating a law that restricts the use of solitary confinement, according to a report by a watchdog group. The report, released by the New Jersey Monitor, highlights concerns about the state’s use of solitary confinement, noting that the practice can have negative impacts on inmates’ mental health.
The law in question, known as the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act, was enacted in 2019 and aimed to limit the use of solitary confinement in state prisons. However, the report argues that many prisons in the state are not complying with the law’s requirements. It claims that inmates are being placed in solitary confinement for extended periods of time, with some spending months or even years in isolation.
The report also points out that the lack of oversight and transparency in the state’s prison system makes it difficult to track how often solitary confinement is being used and for what reasons. It calls on the state to hold prisons accountable for enforcing the law and to provide more data on the use of solitary confinement.
In response to the report, advocates are urging state officials to take action to address the issues raised. They argue that solitary confinement can lead to long-term psychological harm for inmates and should only be used as a last resort.
The New Jersey Department of Corrections has not yet responded to the report. However, the findings are likely to spark further debate about the use of solitary confinement in the state’s prisons and the need for greater oversight to ensure that inmates are treated humanely.
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