What is solitary confinement?

Solitary confinement is accurately defined as a form of imprisonment that involves minimal contact with others. This practice typically requires an inmate to be isolated from the general prison population, often for the purpose of punishment or to manage behavior that is deemed disruptive or dangerous. In solitary confinement, individuals may spend up to 23 hours a day in a small cell, with very limited interaction with staff or other inmates. This isolation can have significant psychological effects and is often a controversial practice within the criminal justice system due to its impact on mental health.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the nature of solitary confinement. Community service refers to a different concept involving unpaid work for the benefit of the community, while a program for rehabilitating violent offenders would be aimed at reform and reintegration rather than isolation. Likewise, a legal process for inmate appeals involves the judiciary system and does not pertain to the condition of being confined away from others.