TY - JOUR PY - 2020// TI - Solitary confinement of inmates associated with relapse into any recidivism including violent crime: a systematic review and meta-analysis JO - Trauma, violence, and abuse A1 - Luigi, Mimosa A1 - Dellazizzo, Laura A1 - Giguère, Charles-Édouard A1 - Goulet, Marie-Hélène A1 - Potvin, Stéphane A1 - Dumais, Alexandre SP - ePub EP - ePub VL - ePub IS - ePub N2 - Recidivism among released inmates is associated with a substantial societal burden given the financial and medical consequences of victimization. Among incarcerated North Americans, approximately 7% are housed in solitary confinement (SC). Studies show SC can lead to psychological deterioration and dispute it can effectively reduce institutional misconduct or recidivism. This meta-analysis aims to clarify the impact of SC on postrelease recidivism, which we hypothesized would increase following SC. A meta-analysis was conducted using PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases from inception until December 2019. Studies on adult inmates in correctional settings were included if they met an operational definition of SC, measured recidivism, and included a comparison group in general inmate population. Random-effect models were used to assess the impact of SC on multiple types of recidivism. Of the 2,713 identified records, 12 met inclusion criteria (n = 194,078). A moderate association was found between SC and any recidivism (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval [1.41, 1.97]), which persisted in controlled studies (OR = 1.41). This association was replicated across types of recidivism comprising violence (OR = 1.41), rearrests (OR = 1.37), and reincarceration (OR = 1.67). Moreover, a more recent exposure to SC increased recidivism risk (OR = 2.02), and a dose-response relationship was found between days in SC and recidivism. The overall database presented high heterogeneity but no publication bias.

FINDINGS show a small to moderate association between SC and future crime/violence. Considering the societal costs associated with antisocial behaviors following SC, mental health and psychosocial programming facilitating inmates' successful reentry into society should be implemented and rigorously evaluated in strong research design.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1524-8380 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1524838020957983 ID - ref1 ER -