Testimony by Mary Meg McCarthy,
Executive
E
Director,
D
Heeartland Alliiance’s Natiional Immig
grant Justicee Center
Submitteed to the Seenate Judiciaary Subcom
mmittee on th
he Constitu
ution,
Civil
C
Rights,, and Humaan Rights
Heariing on Reasssessing Sollitary Confin
nement: Thee Human R
Rights, Fiscaal, and Publlic
Safety Consequen
nces
Jun
ne 19, 2012
Heartland
d Alliance’s National
N
Imm
migrant Justicce Center (N
NIJC) applaudds Senator Ri
Richard Durbiin for
initiating the first con
ngressional heearing on sollitary confineement. NIJC
C appreciates the opportuunity
to submitt this statemeent for the reecord to docuument the m
misuse of solittary confinem
ment in
immigratiion detention
n.
Since its founding
f
30 years ago, NIJC
N
has safegguarded the rights of nonn-citizens, paarticularly tho
ose
held in im
mmigration detention.
d
Eaach year, NIJJC and its unnparalleled neetwork of 1,0000 pro bono
attorneys provide legaal counsel an
nd representation to nearlyy 10,000 indiividuals. NIJJC also condducts
regular “K
Know Your Rights”
R
presentations in immigration
i
detention faacilities, operrates a detenttion
hotline, and
a responds to correspon
ndence from
m detainees thhroughout thhe country. IIn each capaccity,
NIJC enccounters indiividuals who have been held in solitary
ry confinemeent for prolon
nged periodss of
time with
h weak or no justification..
As co-chaair of the Deepartment off Homeland Security
S
(DH
HS)/Nongoveernmental O
Organization
(NGO) Enforcement
E
t Working Grroup, NIJC facilitates
f
reggular dialoguee between th
he federal
governmeent and 100 human
h
rightss organizatio
ons, legal aid providers, accademics, and immigrant
rights gro
oups on issuees of immigraation enforceement and deetention. NIIJC is also a lleading voicee
within the Midwest Coalition for Human
H
Righ
hts, a networkk of 56 organnizations, inccluding humaan
rights gro
oups, service providers, an
nd academic institutions, that promotte and protecct human righ
hts in
the Midw
west. In thesee and other coalitions,
c
NIIJC elevates our clients’ sstories to preess for system
mic
policy chaange.
Today, we
w call on Con
ngress to holld DHS acco
ountable for tthe misuse of solitary con
nfinement in
immigratiion detention
n. NIJC offeers the follow
wing recomm
mendations, ddescribed in ddetail below:
1. Congress
C
shouuld require DHS
D to impleement legallyy enforceablee regulations to govern th
he use
of solitary con
nfinement.
2. DHS
D must traack the use of solitary con
nfinement too assess the exxtent to whicch non-citizeens
arre held in sollitary confineement and prrevent futuree abuse.
3. DHS
D must reggularly inspecct facilities an
nd monitor ccompliance w
with regulatio
ons. Failure to
co
omply with regulations
r
must
m be a basiis to end conntracts.
4. DHS
D should end
e the inapp
propriate usee of solitary cconfinement,, particularly for individuals
with
w mental health
h
and chrronic medicaal conditions,, LGBT detaainees, and otther vulnerab
ble
populations.
5. Congress
C
shouuld encouragge DHS to giive meaningfful considerattion to altern
natives to
detention for vulnerable populations who
w would bee held in isollation.
6. DHS
D must reqquire immigrration detentiion facilities to properly iinvestigate acccusations aggainst
detainees befo
ore placing in
ndividuals in disciplinary segregation. DHS must also require
faacilities to affford detaineees an opportuunity to conffront the eviddence against them.

Background
Immigration detention is the fasting growing incarceration system in the United States.1 Each year,
DHS detains nearly 400,000 men, women, and children in a patchwork of 250 facilities, including
county jails and prisons operated by private corporations. Individuals are held in civil custody for
immigration violations. They are not being punished for criminal conduct, so they are not afforded
procedural protections such as a right to appointed counsel. Even without procedural protections,
however, immigrant detainees are subject to the same detention policies as criminal detainees,
including policies that govern the use of solitary confinement.
In April 2011, NIJC filed a mass complaint with DHS’ Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
(CRCL) on behalf of 13 detained LGBT immigrants who were targeted for physical, sexual, and
emotional abuse in immigration detention.2 In October 2011, four additional DHS detainees joined
the civil rights complaint. Many of these individuals were inappropriately held in solitary
confinement, often for months at a time without formal determinations of the necessity of solitary
confinement and without an appeals process.
NIJC continues to represent dozens of clients who have been improperly isolated from other
detainees. We continue to receive letters from non-citizens who are languishing in detention. Yet
we can only reach a small fraction of the 400,000 people in immigration detention each year. DHS
can and must take steps to proactively track and oversee the use of solitary confinement.
Lack of Regulations and Data
 DHS detention standards are not legally enforceable.
This year, DHS released long-awaited Performance-Based National Detention Standards
(PBNDS) to address critical human rights concerns in the system. While the release of the
PBNDS acknowledges the need for reform, the administration can only ensure humane and
fair treatment of detained individuals by issuing legally enforceable regulations.
 DHS has failed to track solitary confinement policies and procedures.
If asked today, DHS would be unable to describe when, how often, and why any immigrant
detainee is placed in solitary confinement. Without statistics from DHS, it is impossible to
accurately assess the scope of this problem.
 DHS detention standards are not uniformly implemented, so solitary confinement
policies and procedures vary greatly.
No facility has taken steps to become compliant with 2011 PBNDS. Rather, immigration
detention facilities are inspected against older versions of DHS detention standards, either
from 2000 or 2008. These standards vary dramatically. As a result, local jails and private
prison companies often adhere to inconsistent policies and procedures. It is not clear that
1See

“Lost in Detention,” PBS Frontline (October 18, 2011), available at: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/racemulticultural/lost-in-detention/map-the-u-s-immigration-detention-boom/.
2 See http://immigrantjustice.org/sites/immigrantjustice.org/files/OCRCL%20Global%20Complaint%20Letter%20April%202011%
20FINAL%20REDACTED.pdf

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DHS reviews these policies or inspects facilities for compliance with national detention
standards for solitary confinement. It is clear, however, that contracted facilities have no
incentive to create non-punitive conditions. DHS does not issue financial penalties nor does
it terminate contracts with facilities that routinely perform below standards.
Misuse of Segregation in Immigration Detention
Immigration detention facilities distinguish between administrative segregation and disciplinary
segregation. Administrative segregation is a “non-punitive” status to ensure the safety of an
individual and/or security of the facility. Disciplinary segregation is a punitive status that stems
from a violation of facility rules.
NIJC has identified several disturbing trends in the use of administrative and disciplinary segregation
in immigration detention.
 Administrative segregation can be indefinite and without review.
For many individuals in immigration proceedings, detention is indefinite. As a consequence,
individuals in administrative segregation do not know how long they remain isolated.
Moreover, because non-citizens do not have a right to counsel, they can easily lose contact
with the outside world and become even more vulnerable to abuse.
José (pseudonym), a gay Mexican national, was held in solitary confinement for four months. Officers told
him that he was being isolated because of his “feminine appearance” and “for his own protection.” José
became increasingly confused when he found out that other gay men were living in the general population.
Three people in José’s isolation unit tried to commit suicide while he was there. These individuals had been
isolated for many months, and José feared that he would also become suicidal. He repeatedly asked to be put
on work detail to keep his mind and body busy but he was denied. Officers told him that he had no right to
be with anyone else.
 Administrative segregation is used as a substitute to mental health and medical
treatment.
Solitary confinement is often used in lieu of proper mental health services for detainees with
severe mental illness and for those who become suicidal as a consequence of their isolation.
Isolation is also used as a substitute for proper medical treatment. The Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights has held that the use of solitary confinement as part of a
person’s mental health rehabilitation plan can rise to the level of “inhuman and degrading
treatment.”3
NIJC represents Adan (pseudonym), a refugee from Eritrea whose competency to be in proceedings is being
evaluated. Adan has been in DHS custody since February 2012. He is not receiving proper treatment for
his mental illness and he is frequently placed in segregation. Adan has told NIJC that he prefers to be in the
general population, but without his medication, it is difficult for him to remain among other detainees.

3 Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, Rosario Congo v. Ecuador, Report 63/99, Case 11.427 of April 13, 1999 at 59; See also
Keenan v. the United Kingdom, European Court of Human Rights, April 3, 2001, Application No. 27229/95 at 113.

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Martin (pseudonym) is a young man from Guatemala who has bipolar disorder and requires a series of
medication and regular therapy. He spent nine months in detention last year while pursuing relief under the
Convention Against Torture. While in detention, he did not receive correct dosages of his medication and he
did not have consistent access to a psychiatrist. Instead of providing him proper treatment, jail staff regularly
placed him in administrative segregation.
 LGBT immigrants are inappropriately held in “protective custody.”
Administrative segregation is disproportionately used against the most vulnerable
populations in immigration detention, such as LGBT individuals. Juan Méndez, Special
Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment or punishment, notes that “Although segregation of [LGBT] individuals may be
necessary for their safety, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender status does not justify
limitations on… access to recreation, reading materials, legal counsel, or medical doctors.”4
Jessica (pseudonym) is a transgender woman from Mexico. She languished in DHS custody for nearly two
years before obtaining legal protection. Jessica was placed in solitary confinement for the first month of her
detention because officers insisted she be separated for her own protection. Jessica repeatedly asked facility staff
and DHS to move her to the general population. While in isolation, Jessica received reduced quantities of
food and was prohibited from communicating with others. She was unable to access religious services, the
library, or other recreation areas. When she was allowed out of her cell, she was handcuffed. The only time
Jessica could bathe or make phone calls was during the one hour she was allowed out of her cell per day, which
was supposed to be reserved for recreation and exercise.
NIJC recognizes that disciplinary segregation may be appropriate in rare, exceptional circumstances.
However, absent uniform detention standards and DHS oversight, detention facilities may interpret
protocols in drastically different and harmful ways.
 Disciplinary segregation is used for minor, frivolous infractions.
A survivor of domestic violence, Helena (pseudonym) was detained for 11 months while her U visa
application was pending. On separate occasions, she was placed in disciplinary segregation for having an
extra blanket, bra and pair of socks; placing her shampoo bottle on the windowsill; and possessing newspaper
articles in her cell. She spent weeks in isolation as punishment for her “offenses.”
 When officials do not properly investigate, false accusations can justify placement in
disciplinary segregation.
A Mexican national named Laura (pseudonym) was placed in disciplinary segregation for 49 days after she
was accused of having sex with other inmates. Laura vehemently denied the accusation and no evidence was
ever produced. Laura was never told how long she would remain in disciplinary segregation or that she could
appeal the decision. Instead, Laura was regularly harassed by guards, causing her to fear leaving her cell.

See Interim Report of the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment at 19 (August 5, 2011) (available at: http://solitaryconfinement.org/uploads/SpecRapTortureAug2011.pdf)
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 Disciplinary segregation is used to retaliate against detainees who exercise their civil
and religious rights.
Farid (pseudonym), a young man from Yemen, was detained for three years while he appealed his asylum
claim. Farid was observing Ramadan when he was brought into custody. Farid explained to officers that he
would fast for 30 days and requested that he be excused from meals. Instead, officers placed him in
disciplinary segregation for the remainder of Ramadan. He could not appeal the decision. Later, Farid was
placed in disciplinary segregation after he tried to advocate on behalf of another Muslim detainee who could
not speak English well. When Farid inquired about the charges against him, officers did not respond. Farid
spent approximately 30 days in isolation for his “offense.” Each day, the warden would ask Farid if he was
“broken” yet. On yet another occasion, Farid went on a hunger strike because the jail administrators decided
to suspend his kosher meals after a kitchen employee falsely accused him of eating non-kosher food. Farid
spent 10 days in segregation until he could demonstrate that the allegation was false.
The Costs of Solitary Confinement
Over the past decade, states have started to assess the costs of solitary confinement. For example, it
is estimated that the state of California spends $77,740 annually for each inmate in administrative
segregation in its Pelican Bay State Prison. Annual costs for inmates in the general population are
estimated to be $58,324 per inmate.5 The state of Colorado spends roughly $20,000 more per
inmate per year to hold an individual in solitary confinement.6 By comparison, when Mississippi
ended its use of solitary confinement in super-maximum-security facilities, it saved more than $5
million.7 Several other states have since followed Mississippi’s lead.
Similar expenses exist in the immigration detention system. Last year, the government spent
approximately $166 per detainee per day at a capacity of 33,400 detention beds.8 Congress
appropriated a budget of $2.75 billion for DHS’ Detention and Removal Operations in Fiscal Year
2012, $184 million more than the previous year and enough for DHS to keep 34,000 immigrants
detained at any one time.9 A similar Detention and Removal budget is being considered for Fiscal
Year 2013.10 Before Congress expands the budget for DHS operations, it must demand that DHS
account for its spending on solitary confinement.
Conclusion
Congress can and must take immediate steps to remedy the pervasive misuse of solitary confinement
in immigration detention. DHS detention standards offer only weak guidelines for the operation
and oversight of a vast detention system. Congress must require DHS to issue uniform, legally
enforceable standards. In addition, detention facilities that fail to meet standards should not be
detaining immigrants. Finally, Congress must encourage DHS to use alternatives to detention,
particularly for vulnerable populations who will be held in isolation. With these steps, we will not
only protect the fundamental rights of immigrant detainees but save limited government resources.

See http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/COMIO/Uploadfile/pdfs/Pelican_Bay.pdf
See “The High Cost of Solitary Confinement,” ACLU of Colorado (available at: http://www.cslc.org/sujy-f0001sac/supporting_documents/Leg_fact_sheets/co_solitary_fact_sheet.pdf)
7 See “Prisons rethink Isolation, Saving Money, Lives, and Sanity,” New York Times (March 10, 2012).
8 See “The Math of Immigration Detention: Runaway Costs for Immigration Detention Do Not Add Up to Sensible Policies,” National Immigration
Forum (August 2011) at 1. (Hereinafter “NIF Report”)
9 See NIF Report at 1.
10 See HR 5855, FY13 Homeland Security Appropriations Act.
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