Solitary Watch


Solitary Watch is a web-based project aimed at bringing the widespread use of solitary confinement into the light of the public square. Its mission is to provide the public—as well as practicing attorneys, legal scholars, law enforcement and corrections officers, policymakers, educators, advocates, people in prison and their families—with the first centralized source of unfolding news, original reporting, firsthand accounts, and background research on solitary confinement in the United States.

History

In December 2009, Solitary Watch launched its website. Overseen by journalist James Ridgeway and writer/editor Jean Casella, the website features original reporting, an archive of resources and information, and the "Voices from Solitary" Project which collects firsthand stories from men and women who have served time in solitary confinement. Within its first nine months, the website attracted over 100,000 visitors. Articles posted on the website have been picked up by many major news outlets, including CounterPunch, and Al Jazeera. David Bruck is involved with the project.

Voices from Solitary

As of 2015, Solitary Watch has collected over 100 memoirs, essays, stories, poems, and blogs written by current and former men and women held in solitary confinement.

Publications

Hell Is a Very Small Place: Voices from Solitary Confinement. Edited by Jean Casella, James Ridgeway and Sarah Shourd. Published by The New Press on February 2, 2016.