T.A.S.C.
Texans Against
Solitary Confinement
Isolation is not rehabilitation.
Thousands of people in Texas prisons spend 22 to 24 hours a day alone in small cells, often for months, years, or even decades.
Research consistently shows that prolonged solitary confinement causes profound psychological and physical harm while doing little to improve long-term safety.
At Texas Prisons Community Advocates, we believe prolonged isolation is an inhumane practice that must be substantially reduced.
What Is Solitary Confinement?
Solitary confinement is the practice of isolating a person in a cell for 22–24 hours a day with little or no meaningful human contact.
Although the Texas Department of Criminal Justice no longer commonly uses the term solitary confinement, the practice continues under names such as:
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Administrative Segregation
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Administrative Lock Up (ALU)
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Special Housing Units
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Protective Custody
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Death Row housing
Changing the terminology has not fundamentally changed the lived experience of prolonged isolation.
Why it matters
Human beings are not designed for prolonged isolation.
Extended solitary confinement has been associated with:
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Anxiety and depression
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Hallucinations and psychological distress
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Cognitive decline
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Self-harm and suicide
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Physical deterioration
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Greater difficulty successfully returning to society
Nearly all incarcerated people will eventually return to their communities. Conditions that worsen mental health make successful rehabilitation—and safer communities—less likely.
The reality in Texas
Texas has one of the largest populations of people held in prolonged isolation in the United States. More than 500 people have spent 10 years or longer in isolation. That's more than any other state.
People may remain in restrictive housing because of:
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Security classifications
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Alleged gang affiliation
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Administrative decisions
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Protective custody
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Death row status
In some cases, placement can continue for years with limited independent oversight or meaningful review.
"These small cells have no water, no toilets, no bunks... I've seen people standing in their own urine and feces for days."
— Incarcerated Texan, 2022
Our Priorities
TPCA advocates for evidence-based reforms that protect both human dignity and public safety.
We support:
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Ending prolonged solitary confinement.
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Eliminating Administrative Lock Up (ALU).
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Limiting restrictive housing to the shortest period necessary to prevent immediate harm.
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Ending automatic solitary confinement based solely on status or group designation.
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Removing solitary confinement housing conditions for people on Death Row.
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Aligning Texas policies with the United Nations Nelson Mandela Rules.
Legislative advocacy
We work with lawmakers, partner organizations, impacted families, and directly affected individuals to advance legislation that reduces unnecessary isolation and improves accountability.
Policies & Bills
TPCA Policy Recommendations
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Adhere to Nelson Madela rules for Solitary Confinement
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Remove solitary confinement housing conditions for all Death Row incarcerated individuals
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End Administrative Lock Up (ALU)
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End the blanket use of solitary confinement for people in so-called Security Threat Groups. Status-based segregation is inappropriate.
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Behavior-based segregation should be limited to only the time necessary to reduce the risk of harm to the individuals involved or others.
Solitary Confinement
Bills Progress
Stay up-to-date with bills related to Solitary Confinement in Texas.
The Eyes of the World Are on Texas
Texas prison conditions have attracted international attention. In 2021, after reviewing expert testimony, Edinburgh Judge Nigel Ross raised concerns about chronic understaffing, forced unpaid labor, the excessive use of solitary confinement, inadequate food, extreme heat, and the lack of independent oversight within the Texas prison system. Concluding that these conditions violated international human rights standards, he refused a request to extradite an individual to Texas.
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