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Klopotoski, M. D. (2010, August). Specialized Housing Units in PADOC.

Samuels, J. (2014). PA Department of Corrections - Findings letter.

Harry, L. R. (2023). Policy Subject: reception and classification 11.2.1. Policy Statement - Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Department of Correction.

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Solitary Confinement and Mental Health in the Pennsylvania Prison System

Omid Mohammadi’25, Rose Nyounway’27

Mentors: Prof. Darakhshan Mir, Prof. Vanessa Massaro

Bucknell-Boulder-Mozilla Just Computing Fellows�Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA.

Abstract

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Introduction

This research delves into the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections’ (PADOC) approach to addressing mental health concerns through a mixed method analysis of policy documents and data on more than 280,000 distinct incarcerated people. It specifically investigates the practice of restrictive housing units and the conditions of solitary confinement through examination of policies, investigations, data, and algorithms used for reception and housing classifications for incarcerated people with a mental health diagnoses. It also evaluates the adequacy and availability of mental health services to the general incarcerated population and those in solitary confinement. Utilizing a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods, the research draws upon documents and data from the PADOC and external sources to identify deficiencies and recommend reforms. The findings aim to improve policies and practices, promote rehabilitative approaches, and uphold humane treatment of incarcerated people’s mental health.

Methods

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Preliminary Findings

Next Steps

References

Acknowledgements

Timeline of Policy Documents Reviewed

• Investigating correlations between Carceral System data and mental health indicators among incarcerated individuals.
• Quantitative analysis of PADOC reception and classification data
• Research on the gap between current finding.

The PADOC operates 24 correctional institutions and houses approximately 39,000 individuals.

Solitary confinement poses serious harm to incarcerated people’s mental health, thus PADOC's solution does not resolve the issue but rather exacerbates previously existing illnesses. According to findings from the US Department of Justice, more than 70% of the documented suicide attempts between 2012-2013 occurred in the solitary confinement units.

�PADOC uses solitary confinement as a remedy for handling offenders who are seriously mentally ill, intellectually disabled, or violators of PADOC's code of conduct. Due to systemic deficiencies in providing adequate support for people with special needs, they confine them and do not address those deficiencies they are faced with. Their remedy for helping people properly reintegrate into society is social exclusion for a long period of time, providing very limited out-of-cell privileges and a lack of mental health services.

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PADOC has used an algorithm named PACT to determine people’s custody levels during incarceration. This tool was implemented in 1991 and was recently replaced by another algorithm named STRONG-R in 2022. The PACT algorithm calculated a raw score that dictated the type of prison a person was assigned to, ranging from minimum to maximum security. The algorithm influenced housing assignments, access to education and programming, disciplinary actions, and informed parole algorithms. However, the algorithm has been criticized for perpetuating bias, error, and inaccuracies, impacting the lives of prisoners and raising concerns about the effectiveness and fairness of data-driven criminal justice reforms.

• Carceral System Data Analysis
• Literature review of PADOC Policy terms and documents.
• Analysis and review of the Pennsylvania Addictive Classification Tool (PACT)
• Interviews with formerly incarcerated people to verify PADOC re-entry and mental health policies. 
• Analysis of Investigative documents and PADOC clarification testimonials.

• The bias behind segregated housing: PADOC confines inmates due to their inability to provide adequate mental health support. Instead of helping seriously mentally ill (SMI) offenders, they segregate them from the prison population for extended periods – an inhumane treatment that destabilizes rather than aids these inmates.
• According to the Department of Justice investigation, fewer incarcerated individuals receive mental health support than those who require it.
• There is little difference between most of PADOC's Specialized Housing Units, such as the Restricted Housing Unit (RHU) and Special Management Unit (SMU), housing offenders who violated conduct codes, and the Special Needs Unit and Mental Health Units, housing seriously mentally ill and intellectually disabled offenders.
• While Klopotoski, the Deputy Secretary at PADOC, stated these units provide opportunities for offenders to demonstrate stable behavior before returning to the general population, implying non-disciplinary reasons, the phased system with earned privileges suggests confinement for disciplinary purposes, albeit with basic human rights as "privileges.“
• While PADOC claims to provide support and rehabilitation for permanently released “offenders”, a testimony from a formerly incarcerated person states that PADOC fails to offer rehabilitation and re-entry programs for those permanently released.

We would like to acknowledge and appreciate Mozilla for providing resources that ensure responsible computing, fairness, equity, and justice. We also extend our gratitude to our research mentors, Prof. Massaro and Prof. Mir, for their academic and moral support.

Figure 1. Distribution of Incarcerated individuals in PADOC as of Dec 31, 2014.

Figure 2. Distribution of Incarcerated individuals in PADOC as of Feb, 2024.

*Specialized Housing in PADOC is a term used for Solitary Confinement.

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

Distribution of Incarcerated Individuals in PADOC as of Dec 31, 2014

Distribution of Incarcerated Individuals in PADOC as of Feb, 2024