Bill > HR4682

This bill aims to comprehensively end the use of solitary confinement in all federal facilities by establishing strict new standards for incarcerated individuals' housing and interaction. The bill finds that solitary confinement is a form of torture that causes severe psychological and physical harm, disproportionately affects people of color and vulnerable populations, and does not improve safety. It mandates that incarcerated individuals must have at least 14 hours per day of out-of-cell congregate interaction, including structured programming, recreation, and social activities. Solitary confinement would only be allowed in extremely limited circumstances, such as for sleeping at night (up to 8 hours) or during brief facility counts, and emergency situations would be strictly regulated with mandatory medical check-ins and de-escalation attempts. The bill establishes a community monitoring body to oversee implementation, creates financial incentives for states to end solitary confinement, and provides legal mechanisms for individuals to seek remedies if the law is violated. Additionally, it prohibits the use of restraints except in specific emergency situations and removes barriers for incarcerated people to file civil rights lawsuits related to solitary confinement. The legislation applies to federal facilities including prisons, immigration detention centers, and other federal holding facilities, with the goal of fundamentally transforming the approach to incarceration from punishment to rehabilitation.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4682/all-info