Solitary Confinement Limited After Lamont Signs New Law

HARTFORD — Starting in July, new rules limiting the amount of time prison inmates can be put into solitary confinement will take effect, per a new state law signed by the governor on Tuesday.

Governor Ned Lamont said he has signed into law Public Act 22-18. That law limits the amount of time and circumstances under which an incarcerated person may be held in isolated confinement in state prisons and jails. It places new requirements on its use. The law falls in line with executive orders issued by Lamont last year.

“I am very proud that our executive order led to this compromise bill, and that many elements of that executive order are now being codified into law,” Lamont said. “This law makes it clear that isolated confinement should only be used in extreme circumstances. It also increases transparency and provides greater independent oversight of our correctional facilities.
"I am committed to ensuring that Connecticut’s correctional facilities operate in a way that not only provides a safe environment for staff, visitors, volunteers, and those who are in custody, but also focuses on lowering recidivism by providing individuals who are in custody with the tools they need to ensure that when they leave a correctional facility, they never come back.”

The signed law limits the number of days a person can spend in isolated confinement to no more than 15 consecutive days or 30 total days within any 60-day period.

That period of time includes those in pretrial, presentencing and post-conviction confinement.

It mandates that any use of isolated confinement must "maintain the least restrictive environment needed for the safety of incarcerated individuals, staff and facility security," Lamont said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the new law also creates an independent ombuds position within the state Office of Governmental Accountability to investigate complaints regarding the Connecticut Department of Correction. It establishes a nine-member Correction Advisory Committee to recommend candidates for the ombuds position, among other duties.

The governor thanked advocates from Stop Solitary CT, which collaborated with his administration on drafting the legislation.

Lamont said the goal was to develop policies that minimize the long-term impact of incarceration, while simultaneously maintaining a safe and secure environment for staff and individuals in custody.

“I believe this bill strikes the right balance between maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone within the Department of Correction’s facilities, while also working towards the objective of minimizing the effects of long-term impact of incarceration,” Department of Correction Commissioner Angel Quiros said. “This signing of this bill also shows what can be accomplished through negotiation and collaboration. At the end of the day, we all have the same goal – the successful reintegration of those in our care.”

The law takes effect July 1, 2022, except for the provisions related to the Correction Advisory Committee and the appointment of a correction ombudsman, which are effective immediately.

For the full announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont, visit:
For more information on Stop Solitary CT, visit: