arrow_back Civic Audit
Share share

Restricting Solitary Confinement: New Rules for Federal Prisoners

This new law introduces strict limits on the use of solitary confinement in federal prisons. It aims to protect prisoners' rights and ensure solitary confinement is used only as a last resort, with proper medical and procedural safeguards. These changes could improve living conditions for incarcerated individuals and reduce the risk of negative health impacts.
Key points
Solitary confinement only for substantial risk of immediate serious harm to others, when less restrictive options fail.
Prohibits solitary confinement for vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, young, pregnant women, and those with disabilities or mental health issues.
Maximum solitary confinement duration is 15 consecutive days or 20 days within any 60-day period.
Inmates in solitary confinement retain access to food, water, and medical care.
Inmates have the right to a hearing and appeal regarding solitary confinement placement.
article Official text account_balance Process page notifications_active Track this Bill
Status: Expired
Civic Will
Checking votes...
I support
I oppose
Why does your vote on bills matter?
It creates raw, undeniable proof. Civic Will provides the permanent data to verify the Government's loyalty towards its citizens (explained here). Start recording it now.
Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_176
Sponsor: Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Process start date: 2021-01-04
System Note: Lustra is free, publicly auditable civic infrastructure — full source code available on GitHub. You are reading sterilized legislative data, processed by our radical neutrality engine to strip political spin and retain factual mechanics. We process only official government data. Original documents remain the authoritative source—always verify them if you can.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
AI work logs for this document launch

OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Restricting the Use of Solitary Confinement Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HR_176.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-01-04.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Solitary confinement only for substantial risk of immediate serious harm to others, when less restrictive options fail.
  • Prohibits solitary confinement for vulnerable individuals, including the elderly, young, pregnant women, and those with disabilities or mental health issues.
  • Maximum solitary confinement duration is 15 consecutive days or 20 days within any 60-day period.
  • Inmates in solitary confinement retain access to food, water, and medical care.
  • Inmates have the right to a hearing and appeal regarding solitary confinement placement.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-27.

What is the impact of this bill?

We don't know—that is up to you to decide. Summarizing raw data with AI is fundamentally different from predicting socio-economic outcomes. As of 2026, we believe impact assessment strictly requires a human in the loop to verify and judge.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law