Data obtained by NIJC showed that about 300 immigrants are held in solitary confinement on any given day. Nearly half of those individuals are isolated for at least 15 days, and some for as long as 75 days at a time. The New York Times reported there is little oversight and few rules regarding solitary confinement in immigration detention. The intital New York Times article features two NIJC clients who were held in solitary confinement for prolonged periods. Several media outlets reported on the story.
The New York Times: Immigrants Held in Solitary Cells, Often for Weeks (3/23/2013)
In response, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano urging DHS to stop using solitary confinement excessively and arbitrarily. Secretary Napolitano has said she will review DHS' solitary confinement policies and investigate the cases mentioned in The New York Times story.
The New York Times: Officials to Review Immigrants’ Solitary Confinement (3/26/2013)
Follow-up coverage includes:
Los Angeles Times (Editorial): Solitary isn't the solution (3/28/2013)
The New York Times (Editorial): Immigrants in Solitary (4/1/2013)
Al Jazeera: The ethics of solitary confinement (3/26/2013)
HuffPost Live: US 'Tortures' Immigrants (3/26/2013)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Some immigrants spend weeks in solitary confinement (4/22/2013)