The state of Texas holds more than 6,000 people in solitary confinement and they stay in isolation for an average of four years, according to a new report.
The American Civil Liberties Union and the Texas Civil Rights Project released the report this week. The groups also found that Texas “locks more people in solitary confinement cells than twelve states house in their entire prison system.” The report also found that over 100 prisoners have been “in the box” for more than 20 years and many of those in solitary have not misbehaved behind bars.
Overall, the state puts 4.4 percent of its prison population in isolation.
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Texas ex-cons were rearrested at a 25 percent higher rate than prisoners released from the overall prison system, the report found.
“Permanently damaged by years in isolation, people released from Texas solitary confinement cells commit more new crimes,” the report said.
