Endorse End Solitary Confinement Act
The End Solitary Confinement Act is legislation pending in the U.S. House and Senate. Drawing from the best policy components from across the country regarding youth facilities, mental health facilities, and adult corrections facilities, this bill would: a) end solitary confinement in federal prisons, jails, and detention other than for up to at most four hours for emergency de-escalation; b) require all people in custody, including in alternative units, to otherwise have access to at least 14 hours of daily meaningful group out-of-cell time, including access to at least 7 hours of daily group programming; c) enhance due process protections, such as access to representation and use of neutral decision-makers; d) create oversight and enforcement mechanisms, including mandatory reporting, a private cause of action, oversight by a community body, and greater media access; and e) incentivize states and localities to adopt similar bans on solitary confinement.