New Report Reveals Washington State DOC’s Continued Use of Solitary Confinement

The Washington Department of Corrections (DOC) promised to end solitary confinement as punishment in 2021, but it’s still widely used for what the DOC calls administrative reasons. This is revealed in a June report from the Office of the Corrections Ombuds, an independent oversight office. The report, requested by state lawmakers, looks at solitary confinement practices in state prisons.

The report shows that over 3,000 inmates were in solitary confinement for more than 120 days, or for over 45 days between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023. This includes about 200 individuals over 60 years old. Some have been in solitary for years, according to Angee Schrader, a senior corrections ombuds.

During this period, there were 13,538 people in state prisons, based on data from the Office of Financial Management. Rachael Seevers, an attorney at Disability Rights Washington, criticized the practice, noting that the UN views isolation beyond 15 days as torture.

In response, the DOC pledged to reduce solitary confinement by 90% in five years and claimed a 50% reduction since 2008. The DOC disputes the ombuds’ definition of solitary confineme

From 2014 to 2023, at least 176 prisoners in solitary confinement attempted suicide, with 14 dying. Many were classified as having serious mental health needs. Jeffrey McKee, a prisoner, shared that suicides in solitary confinement have become routine and not shocking to him.

The report details various methods of suicide attempts, including razors, swallowing objects, and using bed sheets. Seevers questioned how people in such acute conditions could be left unobserved.

The DOC stated that losing any individual to suicide is unacceptable and is working on improving mental health care and safety measures.

As of July 1, 2024, the DOC reported 602 people in “solitary confinement conditions.” However, Schrader noted that this number might not fully capture the extent of solitary confinement due to its temporary nature.

The DOC defines solitary confinement as being confined to a single cell for over 20 hours a day without meaningful human contact or activities. Schrader criticized the DOC’s use of different terms, which she believes downplays the severity of solitary confinement.

The report identifies eight types of segregation, with administrative segregation being commonly used for various reasons, including awaiting disciplinary actions and medical reasons.

Seevers from Disability Rights Washington argued that using administrative segregation as a punishment is effectively using solitary confinement as a disciplinary tool.

The most common reason for solitary confinement is refusing a housing assignment, making up 36% of initial placements. Other reasons include threats to facility order, contraband, and violence. Prisoners sometimes refuse housing assignments due to safety concerns, which the DOC has been slow to address.

McKee, who has been incarcerated for over 20 years, described receiving infractions for refusing housing assignments, leading to extended periods in solitary confinement. The DOC acknowledged safety concerns but also noted that some prisoners prefer restrictive settings to avoid conflicts.