HR-4682 — End Solitary Confinement Act

YourVoice.Now Summary

Criminal Justice & Due ProcessCivil LibertiesTransparency & Accountability

Would end solitary confinement in federal prisons and immigration jails, with 14 hours a day out of the cell.

Criminal Justice & Due Process

Out-of-cell time for everyone held — at least 14 hours daily

Each person would get at least 14 hours a day out of the cell. That time would be spent with other people. It would include 7 hours of classes or treatment and 1 hour of exercise.

State and local jails must comply — or lose 10% of grants

States and cities that take Byrne justice grant money would face the same rules. They would get 180 days to meet them. If they fall short, at least 10 percent of the grant would be cut. Public defender and treatment funds would be spared.

Solitary confinement in federal prisons — banned outside narrow exceptions

No federal prison or jail could lock a person alone in a cell. The ban would cover immigration lockups and private sites paid to hold people. Short counts, brief emergencies, and medical care would be the only exceptions.

Emergency isolation capped — 4 hours in one day

Staff could lock a person alone only to stop harm right then. It would be a last step, not a first one. The cap would be 4 hours a day and 12 hours a week. Staff would check in each hour.

Restraints allowed only in emergencies — 4-hour limit without medical approval

Cuffs and straps could be used only when someone may hurt people right away. Past 4 hours, a doctor would have to sign off. Using them again the next day would take a hearing.

Near-total isolation orders banned — including in national security cases

The strictest federal orders cut a person off from almost all contact. They are used now in cases tied to national security. The bill would end them at every federal site.

This law's money can't build prisons — or buy restraints

Money set aside for this law could not pay to build prisons. It also could not buy weapons or gear that holds people in place.

Civil Liberties

Hearing before harsher housing — 2 days' written notice required

A move to a stricter unit would take a hearing first. A neutral person would decide. The person could see the proof, bring help, and get a written ruling in 5 days.

Some people never locked alone — under 25, over 55, pregnant

Some people could not be locked alone, even in an emergency. That covers people 25 or younger and 55 or older. It also covers those who are pregnant, disabled, LGBTQI+, or treated for mental health. Staff would check on their health instead.

Food, mail, and visits protected — cannot be taken as punishment

A jail could not punish someone by cutting food, clothes, or bedding. Mail, phone calls, and visits would be off limits too. Taking approved property or changing a diet would also be barred.

Right to sue over mental harm — no physical injury needed

Right now, people in prison cannot sue for mental harm unless they were hurt in body. Time locked alone would count on its own. That would let them sue for that harm.

Suing over constitutional violations allowed — damages plus legal fees

People could sue federal staff and hired firms for any violation of their rights under the Constitution. Not just being locked alone. Courts could award money, close a unit, and pay legal costs.

Immigration detention covered too — ICE, border, and child shelters included

The rules would cover immigration lockups run by ICE and border agents. Shelters for migrant children would be covered too. So would private sites paid to hold people.

Lawsuit shield for extreme lockdowns — capped at 24 hours

An agency could not be sued over a long lockdown during a bombing, riot, or disease outbreak. The shield would stop at 24 hours. Top staff would have to sign off along the way.

Transparency & Accountability

Quarterly public reports required — isolation counts and self-harm posted online

Each agency would post numbers on its website every three months. They would show how many people were locked alone and for how long. They would also show self-harm and deaths. The counts would be split by race, age, and health.

Outside watchdog with surprise access — half its members formerly incarcerated

A watch group of at least 15 people could enter any federal site with no warning. They could talk with people in private. Half would be people who were locked up or had family locked up.

Unannounced visits by reporters allowed — public defenders and officials too

News reporters, public defenders, and elected officials could show up with no warning. They could talk with people who agree to it. They could not enter a cell someone is in without that person's okay.

Yearly public review of compliance — by the Justice Department watchdog

The Justice Department watchdog would check each year on how the law is working. It would report to Congress and the public. A group of survivors and health experts would help guide the checks.

More about this bill

People in federal prisons and immigration detention could no longer be locked alone in a cell. Everyone in federal custody would get at least 14 hours a day out of the cell. That time would be in a shared space with other people. It would include 7 hours of classes, treatment, or other programs, plus 1 hour of exercise. Being alone in a cell would still be allowed at night for counts, up to 8 hours. The changes would start within 60 days after the bill became law. Staff could still lock a person alone to stop violence, but only as a last resort. That would be capped at 4 hours in a day and 12 hours in a week. Some people could never be locked alone this way. The list covers people under 25 or over 55, and pregnant people. It also covers people with a disability, a mental health diagnosis, or who are LGBTQI+. Any other move to stricter housing would need a hearing first. The person would get 2 days' written notice and a representative, such as a lawyer. Staff would need strong proof of a serious violent act. States and cities that take federal justice grants would have to match these rules. If they did not, they would lose at least 10 percent of that money. Grants for public defenders and community treatment would be spared. A new community monitoring body could visit any federal facility without warning. Reporters, public defenders, and elected officials could visit without warning too. Agencies would have to post counts of isolation and self-harm every three months. People in custody could sue over mental harm from isolation, even without a physical injury. The bill sets no dollar cost, leaving that to later spending bills. Most people outside these facilities would see no direct change.

Congressional Summary

End Solitary Confinement ActThis bill restricts the use of solitary confinement and establishes minimum standards for incarceration at the federal, state, and local levels.At the federal level, the bill generally prohibits the use of solitary confinement in federal facilities with limited exceptions, such as if necessary to de-escalate an emergency situation. The bill also establishes minimum standards for incarceration, including at least 14 hours per day of out-of-cell congregate interaction in a shared space that is conducive to meaningful group interaction.The bill requires state and local governments to implement laws, policies, and programs that substantially comply with the restrictions on solitary confinement and minimum standards for incarceration in order to receive full funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program.The bill establishes an independent community monitoring body, as well as an advisory body of stakeholders, to help provide oversight.Finally, the bill allows a prisoner to file a federal civil action for mental or emotional injury suffered if there is a prior showing of placement in solitary confinement or an alternative unit.

Details

Congress: 119th
Chamber: House
Status: summarized
Action: Introduced in House
Action Date: 2025-07-23
Date Added: 2026-06-02
Source: Congress.gov →

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