President Obama: “We Must Rethink Solitary Confinement”

[S]olitary confinement has the potential to lead to devastating, lasting psychological consequences. It has been linked to depression, alienation, withdrawal, a reduced ability to interact with others and the potential for violent behavior. Some studies indicate that it can worsen existing mental illnesses and even trigger new ones. Prisoners in solitary are more likely to commit suicide, especially juveniles and people with mental illnesses.

I’ll let his moving piece in today’s Washington Post speak for itself. (For the record, I agree with him.)