S-2477 — End Solitary Confinement Act

YourVoice.Now Summary

Criminal Justice & Due ProcessCivil LibertiesTransparency & Accountability

Would end solitary confinement in federal prisons and immigration jails, and let those held in it sue over mental harm.

Criminal Justice & Due Process

Solitary confinement ends in federal prisons — 14 hours out-of-cell daily

Federal prisons, immigration detention, and shelters for migrant children could no longer hold people alone in cells. Everyone would get at least 14 hours a day in shared space, including 7 hours of programs and 1 hour outdoors.

Emergency cell lock-ins barred for some — anyone under 26 included

Staff could lock someone in a cell for up to 4 hours to calm a violent emergency. That could never be done to anyone under 26 or over 54, anyone pregnant, anyone with a disability or a mental health diagnosis, or anyone who is LGBTQ.

Restraints allowed only for real threats — 4-hour limit

Staff could use handcuffs or other restraints only after judging that someone is about to seriously hurt a person. Use beyond 4 hours would need a supervising medical provider to sign off, and repeat use would need a hearing.

States lose crime grant money — 10 percent cut unless they comply

States and cities that take Byrne JAG money, the main federal criminal justice grant, would have to match these rules within 180 days. Missing that would cost at least 10 percent of the grant, though public defender and community mental health money would be spared.

Civil Liberties

Hearing required before separate housing — 2 days written notice

No one could be moved to a stricter unit until a neutral decision maker saw clear proof of a serious act, such as violence or an escape. The person would get 2 days' written notice and could bring a lawyer, an advocate, or another incarcerated person to speak for them.

Right to sue over mental harm — no physical injury needed

Federal law now bars prisoners from suing over mental or emotional injury unless they first show a physical injury. Anyone placed in solitary confinement would be freed from that bar, in state and local jails as well.

Courts may order prison units closed — new lawsuits allowed

Anyone hurt by a violation of the new rules could sue for money damages, and a judge could close a unit or building that keeps breaking them. A person who wins could also recover their lawyers' fees.

Strict isolation orders ended — no federal facility may use them

Special administrative measures cut off nearly all contact with other people and the outside world, and are used mostly in national security cases. No federal facility could use them anymore.

Transparency & Accountability

Public quarterly reports on prison self-harm — posted within 15 days

Every agency would post counts of self-harm, suicide attempts, and suicides on its website within 15 days of each quarter's end. The counts would be broken out by race, age, gender, disability, and type of housing unit.

Outside monitors get surprise prison access — records within 7 days

A new community monitoring body of at least 15 people, most of them survivors of solitary or family of incarcerated people, could show up unannounced and enter any area. Facilities would have to hand over records within 7 days, or 48 hours after a death or an assault.

Press gains unannounced prison access — public defenders included

Reporters, public defenders, and elected officials could visit any federal facility without notice and interview people in private. They could not enter a cell without the consent of the person housed there.

Agencies shielded for extreme lockdowns — up to 24 hours allowed

A lockdown longer than the 4-hour limit would not create liability if it followed a bombing, a mass outbreak, or a violent riot. It would have to be approved up the chain and end within 24 hours.

More about this bill

Federal prisons and immigration jails would have to stop using solitary confinement. Everyone in federal custody would get at least 14 hours a day out of the cell. That time would be spent in shared space with other people. It would include 7 hours of programs, such as school, job training, or treatment. It would also include 1 hour outdoors. Staff could still lock people in cells at night for sleep, up to 8 hours. In an emergency, lock-ins would be capped at 4 hours a day and 12 hours a week. The rules would cover federal prisons, immigration and border agencies, the Marshals Service, and shelters for migrant children. Private and local jails paid to hold federal detainees would follow the same rules. A hearing would be needed before anyone is moved to a stricter unit. The person would get written notice 2 days ahead. They could bring a lawyer, an advocate, or another person of their choice. A neutral decision maker would have to see clear proof of a serious act. No one could be held in such a unit longer than 60 days in 6 months. Handcuffs and other restraints could be used only against a real threat of injury. People held in solitary could also sue over mental or emotional harm. Today, federal law blocks those suits unless the person first shows a physical injury. That block would be lifted for state and local prisoners as well. Under the new federal rules, judges could award money and close a unit that keeps breaking them. A new watchdog group of at least 15 members would monitor federal facilities. Most members would be people who survived solitary or had a family member locked up. They could visit without warning, bring cameras, and get records within 7 days. Reporters, public defenders, and elected officials would get the same surprise access. Each agency would post self-harm and suicide counts on its website every quarter. States and cities would face pressure too. To keep full money from the main federal crime grant, they would have to match these rules within 180 days. Falling short would cost at least 10 percent of that grant. Money for public defenders and community mental health care would be spared. The changes would start within 60 days of signing. The Senate has not voted on the bill.

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: Senate
Status: summarized
Action: Introduced in Senate
Action Date: 2025-07-28
Date Added: 2026-06-04
Source: Congress.gov →

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