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Table of contents
Executive Summary.............................................................................. 8
1. Introduction...................................................................................... 12
2. Background...................................................................................... 18
2.1 Solitary confinement: definition and purposes................................ 18
2.1.1. Solitary confinement as a disciplinary punishment
and banalization of the measure............................................. 19
2.1.2. Court-imposed solitary confinement....................................... 19
2.1.3. Solitary confinement as an administrative tool........................ 19
2.1.4. Solitary confinement as a protective measure.......................... 20
2.1.5. Voluntary solitary confinement.............................................. 20
2.2. Main critical issues...................................................................... 21
2.2.1. Duration................................................................................ 21
2.2.2. Material conditions................................................................ 22
2.2.3. Effects on mental health......................................................... 22
2.2.4. Meaningful social contacts .................................................... 24
2.2.5. Effectiveness of procedural safeguards.................................... 25
2.2.6. Role of medical staff.............................................................. 25
2.3. Solitary confinement as a cultural issue......................................... 26
2.3.1. Lack of a common legal ground in the
prison staff............................................................................ 26
2.3.2. Solitary confinement and organisation
of prison administration ....................................................... 27
3.Standards.............................................................................................. 28
3.1. Definition of solitary confinement................................................ 28
3.2. When does solitary confinement amount to
inhuman and degrading treatment or torture?............................ 29
3.3. Duration of solitary confinement.................................................. 32