The Cruelty Of Solitary Confinement Essay - 1363 Words

It was in a brainstorming situation that I discovered the topic of discussion I wanted to hear a convincing opposition against. I knew that choosing something more controversial would garner a greater opposition, but at the same time, I wanted to avoid topics that seemed almost too commonplace in assignments like this. With that in mind, I decided to hear out the opposition against my view of the inhumanity of solitary confinement. The person with whom I discussed, who will be referred to as Person X for the purposes of this write-up, believed that in certain situations, solitary confinement was a just punishment. We had this discussion waiting for our Microbiology class to begin. Bringing up random topics of discussion is not something unusual within the scope of my character, and so rather than wait for an opportunity that would not present itself, I simply asked Person X for his/her opinion on solitary confinement as a justified punishment for convicted criminals. To give the disc ussion some direction and so that I could better understand Person X’s point of view I asked some questions. The two most important I found being: â€Å"Why do you feel that it’s okay to punish people like that in some cases but not in others?† and â€Å"How long is too long?†. I found these questions particularly helpful in understanding Person X’s position because I noticed that he/she didn’t completely agree with either one side. He/she was intent on making a point based on conditionality. Although IShow MoreRelatedSolitary Confinement : A New Idea Of Punishment And Maintaining Order1708 Words   |  7 PagesSolitary confinement commits an individual to small room closed off from the world; a room devoid of light and human interaction for nearly twenty three hours a day. Not only is the morose environment and isolation unhealthy, but it contributes to increased recidivism rates, sometimes referred to as the revolving door phenomenon. Alt hough solitary confinement provides the staff and general prison population with safety, there are alternatives that can be used rather than continuing the revolvingRead MoreThe Incarceration Of Solitary Confinement1722 Words   |  7 Pagesby inmates were because they were in solitary confinement (Breslow, 2014). Although some inmates have failed at their suicide attempts, that does not mean that they have not attempted to end their lives. There is a higher rate of inmates self mutilating while being in solitary confinement than if they were in the general prison population (Breslow, 2014). This means that inmates that are isolated are more of a danger to themselves. Being in solitary confinement also attributes to personality disordersRead MoreI Chose The Topic Of Prison Psychology With A Focus On1198 Words   |  5 Pagesof Philip Zimbardo himself. The Psychology of Cruelty: Recognizing Grave Mental Harm in American Prisons. Harvard Law Review, vol. 128, no. 4, Feb. 2015, pp. 1250-1271. EBSCOhost, ezproxy.uhd.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=truedb=bthAN=100940301site=eds-livescope=site. Solitary confinement expanded greatly from the 1970’s to the 1980’s as a form of punishment, in 1983, was the first use of solitary confinement as a permanent holding cell. The article then goesRead MoreAnimal Cruelty Essay969 Words   |  4 PagesAnimal cruelty is any act of violence or neglect against an animal. A few things one may have seen are an animal tied up outside for all hours of the day with no food or water or maybe a person has seen an owner purposely hit their dog. Animals, like humans, have feelings and reactions to the way they are handled: abused animals could become dangerous to society. Society most often defines animal cruelty as the infliction of physical pain, suffering, or death upon an animal when not necessary forRead MoreTheory Of Kalief Browder1324 Words   |  6 Pagesbelongings so not to have them stolen. Before getting arrested he had no ideas on prison life or the cruelty he would experience. Essentially his mind was blank going in. He did not inherit anything that could help him or influence survival in this environment so, he had learned how to survive based on the things he learned during his time of imprisonment. Equally important, his experiences from solitary confinement conditioned his suicide behavior. Growing up in Child Protective Services care due to a drugRead MoreAnimals Should Not Be Held Captivity1560 Words   |  7 Pageskeep them locked in captivity, where they are cramped, lonely, and far from their natural homes. Deprived of the opportunity to develop and reach the full range of their interests and needs, animals are often forced to live in the misery of solitary confinement. Some animals are constantly mistreated while crammed in barren environments. Inadequate living space along with separation from their natural habitat gradually leads to animals becoming enraged and violent. Destined to stage shows, they areRead MoreThe Effects Of Torture On The Society Of Modern Technology1489 Words   |  6 Pagesmental strain or damage for the purposes of obtaining information, confession, punishment, intimidation, amusement, or otherwise (Encyclopedia.com). Although, one must understand that while brutality exists, modern torture includes extensive solitary confinement, standing for long periods of time, and other psychological methods. Because of this drastic difference, there is no true definition of torture, rather a separation in it’s meaning. According to Daniel Mannix, author of The History of Torture:Read MoreThe American Penal System : The United States Essay1705 Words   |  7 Pagesperiod were utilized: jails or prisons and workhouses. The jails and prisons of that time were also used to hold the accused who were awaiting trial. Most criminals were punished using corporal punishment such as whipping, branding, mutilating, confinement in the stocks or pillory, and ducking. The typical people in the workhouses were vagrants and paupers. The workhouses were meant to repress those who were in it, but were not for taking in felons. These two institutions later came together to createRead MoreArgumentative Essay On Torture1457 Words   |  6 Pagessevere physical and mental strain or damage for the purposes of obtaining information, confession, punishment, intimidation, amusement, or otherwise. Although, one must understand that while brutality exists, modern torture includes extensive solitary confinement, standing for long periods of time, and other psychological methods. Because of this drastic difference, there is no true definition of torture, rather a separation in its meaning. According to Daniel Mannix, author of The History of Torture:Read MoreEssay on Book Blindness989 Words   |  4 Pagesto escape their black destiny and the reassuration from future hope(112). The corruption of reason can also be derived from the development of desperation pursued in the novels Life of Pi, and Blindness. Referring to Life of Pi, Pis solitary confinement seems to have a psychological effect, driving him to eat feces. This sense of indignation is also described in Blindness, considering a portion of the blind relieved themselves at any given moment. That was also due to a lack of respect for