The recent death of Adam Bryant while in solitary confinement at the Vigo County Jail in Terre Haute, Indiana, has reignited discussions about the ethical implications of isolating inmates. This tragedy brings acute attention to the way we treat people in the U.S. prison system. It brings attention to the fight experienced by those battling mental health disorder.
Adam Bryant passed away in the early hours of Christmas Eve, Dec. 19, 2021. His death was due to hyponatremia, a complication characterized by dangerously low levels of sodium in the blood. His death occurred just five days after being transferred to solitary confinement, where it’s reported he was put after a fight with other inmates. At 29 years old, Bryant had already developed a track record of mental health struggles and went through recovery from addiction. He had gone seeking treatment for both problems only days before being arrested on domestic battery charges on December 8th.
According to newspaper accounts of his time, in the final days toward his death, Bryant showed signs of extreme psychological suffering and physical deterioration. In eerie premonition, he had told his mother in a phone call on December 19 that he was afraid he would die. “I don’t want to die,” he said to her, emphasizing just how serious his case was. His mother recounted the torment he faced: “You’re either gonna take care of yourself or they will let you die there.” Video surveillance reveals that jailers routinely and on multiple occasions checked on other inmates. Yet they filled Bryant’s head with promises, but had failed to focus on him enough during his last hours.
Matthew Lowen, a prominent advocate against solitary confinement, estimates that between 75,000 and 80,000 individuals are confined to solitary confinement across the United States daily. The disturbing truth is that this practice frequently worsens unaddressed mental health issues, especially among marginalized communities. It’s time to stop making excuses. Lowen made clear on that bottom line. Few would argue that the populations living or working within prisons or jails are kept any safer by this.
In recent years, new initiatives have developed to mitigate the criticisms surrounding solitary confinement. The Halt Act in New York reformed isolation practices. Its provisions include an end to solitary confinement beyond 15 days and the banning of using solitary on vulnerable populations. This legislation has faced significant backlash. More than 11,000 New York prison guards went on strike in reaction to the Halt Act. In response, New York Governor Kathy Hochul suspended the law for 90 days and sent out the National Guard.
The widespread use of solitary confinement has consequences that extend beyond correctional facilities, as explained by Jean Casella, director of Solitary Watch. On the resources side, she noted the huge lack of oversight in these facilities. Her organization was literally born to address this essential issue. Casella concluded, “The true abandonment of people with mental health challenges in this country is just a national disgrace. She further emphasized the importance of maintaining family connections for inmates: “Maintaining contact with family and loved ones has been shown to be one of the most effective ways of not only maintaining sort of order in prison but easing people’s transitions and re-entry back into society.” She continued, “It’s absolutely destructive to sever those links.”
Advocacy efforts and increasing public awareness have brought to light the damaging impact of solitary confinement. The numbers indicate that its use has actually surged from 2019 to 2024. This disturbing trend is happening despite the growing evidence of the harmful effects of isolation and loneliness.
The enforceable recommendations in Adam Bryant’s tragic death should be a wake up call to do just that. We need to make systemic changes to correctional facilities all over the country. The Vera Institute’s Restoring Promise Initiative is at the forefront of the fight against solitary confinement. They are transforming these units into mentorship-based spaces that highlight rehabilitation over isolation. These efforts are key to addressing the barriers that incarcerated people experience. They engage in the political process to protect and advance their rights and dignity.