END TORTURE NOW
SOLITARY IS DEADLY
Studies show longterm isolation has irreversible and often fatal results.
SOLITARY DOESN'T WORK
Research shows that prolonged isolation is not only inhumane, but ineffective and expensive.
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UNLOCK THE BOX

A SOLITARY MISSION

We will end long-term solitary confinement in the United States within the next 10 years.

Working tirelessly with anti-solitary groups across the nation, we provide funding, research, and other resources to effect meaningful policy change around solitary and educate the general public on harmful impacts of using solitary confinement as punishment on individuals, communities, and even our economy. 

WHAT WE DO

Vision

We envision a nation that affords all of its citizens basic human rights and a criminal justice system that can provide punishment and rehabilitation without torture.

 

Strategy

Unlock the Box supports anti-solitary organizations across the country with funding, resources, and technical assistance to impact meaningful policy change. 

 

Community

We are a community-first campaign.  Our focus is  empowering survivors, their families, and  local advocacy groups to create meaningful impact on policy surrounding solitary.  

 

UNLOCK THE BOX

IS SOLITARY REALLY TORTURE?

The world’s foremost voice on Human Rights, the United Nations, says YES! The effects of solitary are well documented and research shows that those who experience solitary more often than not experience psychosis and become acutely suicidal.

SOLITARY BY THE NUMBERS

Think you know solitary?  You might be surprised what the statistics and research actually tells us. 

The numbers below help us understand why solitary confinement is defined as torture. We know that the effects are long-term, often irreversible, and in many cases, fatal.  We also know that the United States is alone in its widespread use of solitary confinement as punishment.  

Explore the numbers on our Facts & Figures page to see what research says about the long term effects and ineffectiveness of the practice.

DON’T FALL FOR MISINFORMATION ABOUT SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. DOWNLOAD OUR TOOLKIT TO STAY INFORMED

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Right now, there are between 88,000 and 100,000 inmates in solitary confinement in the United States. 

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Survivors of solitary confinement are 78% more likely to commit suicide within a year after their release. 

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Over a third of inmates subjected to solitary confinement become psychotic and/or acutely suicidal within the first 15 days. 

JOIN THE MOVEMENT

You are the key to banning solitary confinement.  Click on your state to explore local advocacy groups and sign-up be a part of the Unlock The Box campaign today. 

END TORTURE NOW

Join the movement to ban solitary confinement in the United States. We’ll send you monthly newsletters and ways to get involved. 

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JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL RALLY

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022
10AM PT/1PM ET
STREAMING LIVE HERE AND ON UNLOCK THE BOX'S SOCIALS

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NEW REPORT

Figures Exceed Previous Counts Because They Include All People in Solitary in Prisons and Jails for 22 or More Hours a Day, and Are Based on the Most Reliable Available Sources