What it does
SourcedEnd Solitary Confinement Act
This 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.
Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jul 23, 2025).
Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.
What has happened
Sourced- 2025-07-23Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
Cosponsors
- Becca Balint D-VT-At Large
- Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick D-FL-20
- Judy Chu D-CA-28
- Yvette D. Clarke D-NY-9
- Adriano Espaillat D-NY-13
- Dwight Evans D-PA-3
- Maxwell Frost D-FL-10
- Sylvia R. Garcia D-TX-29
- Jesús G. "Chuy" García D-IL-4
- Glenn Ivey D-MD-4
- Jonathan L. Jackson D-IL-1
- Pramila Jayapal D-WA-7
All 26 cosponsors
- Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr. D-GA-4
- Robin L. Kelly D-IL-2
- Summer L. Lee D-PA-12
- Morgan McGarvey D-KY-3
- LaMonica McIver D-NJ-10
- Grace Meng D-NY-6
- Eleanor Holmes Norton D-DC-At Large
- Ayanna Pressley D-MA-7
- Delia C. Ramirez D-IL-3
- Lateefah Simon D-CA-12
- Melanie A. Stansbury D-NM-1
- Rashida Tlaib D-MI-12
- Nydia M. Velázquez D-NY-7
- Bonnie Watson Coleman D-NJ-12