The bill amends the Restricted Housing Act to expand the age limit for inmates placed in solitary confinement, now prohibiting the placement of inmates younger than twenty-one or older than fifty-five years of age in restricted housing. Additionally, it introduces new provisions that prevent pregnant inmates or those in the first eight weeks postpartum from being placed in solitary confinement. The bill also establishes protections for vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ+ inmates, ensuring they cannot be placed in restricted housing involuntarily or for protective custody. Furthermore, it limits the duration of solitary confinement, stipulating that inmates cannot be held in restricted housing for more than fifteen consecutive days or ninety days total within a twelve-month period, with specific reporting requirements for any extensions beyond this limit.

In terms of transparency, the bill mandates that correctional facilities produce quarterly reports detailing the demographics of inmates placed in restricted housing, including their names, identification, age, gender, and ethnicity, as well as the dates of their placement and release. The requirement to report the reasons for restricted housing has been removed. The corrections department is also tasked with posting these reports on its public website to ensure accountability and oversight. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the treatment of inmates in solitary confinement and improve the transparency of correctional practices.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 33-16-1, 33-16-2, 33-16-3, 33-16-5