# Summary of H.R. 4972: End Solitary Confinement Act
This bill would prohibit solitary confinement in all federal prisons, detention facilities, and contracted private facilities. Instead of isolation, incarcerated people would be required to have at least 14 hours daily of out-of-cell congregate time in shared spaces, including at least 7 hours of structured programming like education, mental health services, and reentry preparation. The bill allows only limited exceptions for medical quarantine, emergency situations, and routine counts, with strict time limits and mandatory deescalation attempts.
The legislation establishes robust due process protections for any placement in alternative restrictive housing, including neutral decision-makers, legal representation, written notice, and the right to present evidence. It explicitly prohibits solitary confinement for vulnerable populations including people under 26, people over 55, those with disabilities, mental health needs, pregnant individuals, and LGBTQ+ people. The bill also creates an independent community monitoring body with broad access to federal facilities to oversee compliance.
To incentivize state compliance, the bill would reduce federal crime control grants by at least 10 percent to states and localities that do not substantially comply with the solitary confinement restrictions within six months. The bill requires quarterly public reporting of data on placements and incidents in federal facilities. It takes effect within 60 days of enactment and includes a private right of action allowing incarcerated people to sue for violations and recover damages.
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