solitary confinement

Solitary confinement, also known as isolation or administrative segregation, is when a prisoner is placed in a cell away from other prisoners, with limited contact with others. Prisoners are usually placed in solitary confinement as a form of internal discipline for serious infractions (e.g. fighting) and minor infractions (e.g. getting caught with contraband). Prisoners may be placed in solitary confinement in an attempt to keep the general population safe, but also to keep them safe from others. 

[Last reviewed in April of 2025 by the Wex Definitions Team]

Wex

• THE LEGAL PROCESS
• criminal law
• criminal procedure
• wex definitions