Featured Films
25m
28m
54m
54m
54m
54m
54m
2h 48m
1h 24m
32m
Related
What Obama’s Solitary Reforms Mean for Inmates
The ban on solitary confinement for juveniles won’t extend to the bulk of young people currently in isolation.
January 26, 2016
California Agrees to Overhaul Solitary Confinement in Prisons
California has agreed to place limits on how long prisoners can spend in solitary confinement, and review the cases of thousands who are currently in isolation.
September 1, 2015
New York City Ends Solitary for Inmates Under 21
Roughly 100 inmates under the age of 21 will be removed from solitary following a decision to end the practice at the city's primary detention facility.
January 14, 2015
New York City Ends Solitary Confinement for Minors
Mayor Bill De Blasio's decision to end solitary confinement for 16- and 17-year-olds comes amid a wider debate about the effectiveness of solitary confinement.
December 19, 2014
How Much Time U.S. Prisoners Spend in Solitary
The U.N. says anything longer than 15 days is abusive. Most stays start at 30 days, but one Louisiana man has spent 42 years so far.
April 22, 2014
What Does Solitary Confinement Do To Your Mind?
Supporters say the practice helps keep prisons safe, and that may be true. What’s undeniable, however, is that solitary confinement can also take a heavy mental toll.
April 22, 2014
Podcast: How to Fix America’s Solitary Problem
Three corrections experts on what needs to be done, and why it’s so hard to change.
April 22, 2014
"Lock It Down": How Solitary Started in the U.S.
How one warden helped create the modern-day isolation used in federal prisons,
April 22, 2014
Joseph Ponte: In Maine, "We Rewrote the Segregation Policy"
Former corrections commissioner Joseph Ponte on reforming the solitary policy in Maine — and why it's a work in progress.
April 22, 2014
Craig Haney: Solitary Confinement is a "Tried-and-True" Torture Device
What does solitary do to you? Psychiatrist Craig Haney discusses the impact of prolonged isolation on prison inmates.
April 22, 2014
A “Noble Experiment”: How Solitary Came to America
In the late 18th century, the Quakers were looking for a way to rehabilitate criminals instead of resorting to the violence of the whip or the gallows. In 1787, they began to impose sentences of solitary confinement in an experiment at the Walnut Street Jail in Philadelphia.
April 22, 2014
What Happens in Solitary When Guards Aren’t Looking
Inmates aren't supposed to be able to pass contraband to one another in solitary confinement. But they've found a way.
April 22, 2014
In order to foster a civil and literate discussion that respects all participants, FRONTLINE has the following guidelines for commentary. By submitting comments here, you are consenting to these rules:
Readers' comments that include profanity, obscenity, personal attacks, harassment, or are defamatory, sexist, racist, violate a third party's right to privacy, or are otherwise inappropriate, will be removed. Entries that are unsigned or are "signed" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. We reserve the right to not post comments that are more than 400 words. We will take steps to block users who repeatedly violate our commenting rules, terms of use, or privacy policies. You are fully responsible for your comments.
Next on Frontline
In the Shadow of 9/11
Home Video DVDs of Solitary Nation are available from ShopPBS.
Educational DVDs of Solitary Nation are available from ShopPBS.
Get Our Newsletter
Follow Frontline