The inhumane reality of contemporary solitary confinement
Author
Faculty Advisor
Date
2025
Keywords
degradation of incarcerated individuals, modern prison systems, solitary confinement, inhumane practices, Bill C-83, Canada
Abstract (summary)
This paper argues that modern prison systems degrade incarcerated individuals through their use of solitary confinement, and this dehumanization only gets exacerbated through the significant inaction shown by legislative bodies. Drawing on the works of Sykes, Smith, Guenther, Hattery, Casella, Reiter and Aranda-Hughes, this research examines how systems of solitary confinement strip prisoners of identity, autonomy and fundamental humanity. It explores the psychological and physical consequences of extreme isolation, supported by harrowing inmate testimonies, and critiques the structures that continue to perpetuate these inhumane practices. In particular, it questions the failure of Canadian policies such as Bill C-83 to offer a meaningful sense of solitary reform. This essay concludes that solitary confinement not only fails to accomplish its goal of prisoner rehabilitation, but serves as a vessel of institutional dehumanization that demands urgent ethical and policy reconsiderations.
Publication Information
Sidhu, S. (2025). The Inhumane Reality of Contemporary Solitary Confinement. MacEwan University Student EJournal, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.31542/jnrbtd08
Notes
Item Type
Student Article
Language
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial (CC BY-NC)
