Pennsylvania SB 788: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for solitary confinement.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 840
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 788
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MUTH, KANE, KEARNEY, HAYWOOD, SAVAL AND
CAPPELLETTI, MAY 27, 2025
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, MAY 27, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for solitary confinement.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 61 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 51
SOLITARY CONFINEMENT
Sec.
5101. Definitions.
5102. Solitary confinement prohibited.
5103. Alternative disciplinary measures to solitary
confinement.
§ 5101. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Correctional institution or facility." Any of the
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following:
(1) A State correctional institution.
(2) A county correctional institution.
(3) A facility that confines a juvenile under 42 Pa.C.S.
Ch. 63 (relating to juvenile matters).
(4) An institution that detains inmates in accordance
with Chapter 71 (relating to interstate compacts) or an
intergovernmental service agreement or other contract with a
Federal, State or county agency, including United States
Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
"Solitary confinement." The confinement of an inmate in a
correctional institution or facility due to disciplinary,
administrative, protective, investigative, medical or other
classification, in a cell or similarly confined holding or
living space, alone or with other inmates for approximately 20
hours or more per day, with severely restricted activity,
movement and social interaction.
§ 5102. Solitary confinement prohibited.
An inmate may not be placed in solitary confinement.
§ 5103. Alternative disciplinary measures to solitary
confinement.
A correctional institution or facility shall implement
alternative disciplinary measures to solitary confinement, which
measures may include the following:
(1) Limiting contact visits.
(2) Restricting visitors to only the inmate's immediate
family.
(3) The loss of work opportunities.
(4) Assigning additional unpaid work duties for no more
than 14 days.
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(5) No more than 14 days of the loss of telephone,
entertainment or yard time privileges.
(6) No more than 14 days of the loss of commissary
privileges.
(7) Confining an inmate to the inmate's own cell in the
general population area.
(8) A reprimand or warning.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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