Report on the Impact of Social Isolation on Health and Institutional Justice

Introduction: Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals

This report examines the detrimental effects of prolonged social isolation on human health and its implications for institutional practices, particularly within the justice system. The findings directly relate to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). Analysis based on a lesson by psychiatrist Terry Kupers indicates that forced isolation, such as solitary confinement, constitutes a significant barrier to achieving these global objectives by inflicting severe physiological and psychological harm.

Physiological and Psychological Consequences of Isolation (SDG 3)

Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all, as mandated by SDG 3, is fundamentally challenged by the practice of social isolation. While voluntary solitude can be beneficial, forced or prolonged isolation leads to severe, self-harming changes in the brain. The absence of meaningful social interaction and activity threatens an individual’s emotional stability and sense of reality. Key consequences that undermine mental and physical health include:

• Depression
• Obsessive thoughts
• Suicidal ideation
• Delusions and hallucinations
• A threatened sense of identity and reality

Institutional Implications and the Justice System (SDG 16 & SDG 10)

The use of solitary confinement within correctional facilities represents a critical issue for SDG 16, which calls for just and humane institutions, and SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequality. This practice is universally harmful but disproportionately exacerbates the conditions of individuals with pre-existing mental health disorders, thus widening inequalities in treatment and outcomes. The long-term effects on individuals released from solitary confinement impede social reintegration and challenge the principles of a just society.

1. Individuals who have experienced solitary confinement are reported to be three times more likely to exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
2. Commonly reported long-term effects include significant personality shifts, heightened anxiety, and persistent paranoia in ordinary social situations.
3. Survivors often experience chronic difficulty with concentration and forming connections with others, which hinders their ability to contribute to peaceful and inclusive societies.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the effects of social isolation, particularly within the context of solitary confinement in prisons, connects to two primary Sustainable Development Goals:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

This goal is central to the article, which extensively details the negative health consequences of forced social isolation. It describes how isolation leads to severe mental and psychological distress, directly contradicting the aim of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The article’s specific focus on “forceful isolation, as in prisons” and “solitary confinement” links the issue directly to the justice system. The practice of solitary confinement and its detrimental effects are a matter of institutional policy and practice, raising questions about justice, humane treatment, and the effectiveness and accountability of correctional institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Explanation: The article directly supports this target by highlighting how social isolation severely undermines mental health. It states that isolation can lead to “depression, obsessions, suicidal ideation, and, for some, delusions and hallucinations,” all of which are conditions that this target aims to prevent and treat. The text emphasizes that “social interactions and meaningful activities are essential for emotional stability,” reinforcing the importance of promoting mental well-being.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • Explanation: While not physical violence in the conventional sense, the article describes solitary confinement as causing profound psychological harm, which can be considered a form of psychological violence. The text notes it is “harmful to everyone” and causes “self-harming physiological changes in the brain,” aligning with the goal of reducing all forms of violence.
2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Explanation: The article points out that “many who’ve experienced [solitary confinement] have pre-existing mental health disorders, which it only exacerbates.” This suggests an unequal and unjust application of punitive measures within the justice system, where vulnerable individuals are subjected to conditions that worsen their health, contrary to the principles of justice and the rule of law.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions or implies several indicators that could be used to measure progress:

For SDG 3, Target 3.4:

• Implied Indicator: Prevalence of mental health conditions among individuals subjected to isolation. The article lists specific conditions such as “depression, obsessions, suicidal ideation,” “increased anxiety and paranoia,” and difficulty concentrating. Tracking the incidence of these conditions in prison populations, especially those in solitary confinement, would measure the impact of such policies on mental well-being.
• Mentioned Indicator: The rate of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The article provides a quantifiable metric, stating that “People who have gone through solitary confinement are three times more likely to show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.” This can be used as a direct indicator to measure the psychological harm caused by this practice.
• Implied Indicator: Rates of suicidal ideation. Mentioning “suicidal ideation” as a consequence of isolation directly relates to the official SDG indicator 3.4.2 (Suicide mortality rate) and suggests that tracking suicidal thoughts and attempts would be a relevant measure.

For SDG 16, Target 16.1:

• Implied Indicator: Proportion of the prison population subjected to psychological violence through solitary confinement. The article’s description of the practice as “harmful to everyone” and causing severe psychological distress aligns with measuring exposure to psychological violence (related to official indicator 16.1.3).

For SDG 16, Target 16.3:

• Implied Indicator: Proportion of prisoners with pre-existing mental health disorders placed in solitary confinement. The article’s statement that “many who’ve experienced it have pre-existing mental health disorders, which it only exacerbates” implies that tracking this specific group would be an indicator of whether the justice system is applying rules equitably and humanely.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: laughingsquid.com