solitary confinement

[ sol-i-ter-ee kuhn-fahyn-muhnt ]

noun

1. the confinement of a prisoner in a cell or other place in which they are completely isolated from others.

solitary confinement

noun

1. isolation imposed on a prisoner, as by confinement in a special cell

Word History and Origins

Origin of solitary confinement¹

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

In prison, Latson spent long stretches in solitary confinement, including his first nine months, his mother says.

From Washington Post

Jail officials faced allegations of human rights abuses over the 23-hour-a-day confinement of about 1,500 inmates in their cells since last spring, which critics described as a form of mass solitary confinement.

From Washington Post

Sentenced in 2014 to 10 years in prison and 1,000 whip lashes, Badawi has been refused access to crucial medicine, thrown in solitary confinement and denied contact with his family.

From Time

Zargar was arrested while pregnant and was granted conditional bail after 38 days in solitary confinement.

From Ozy

Alex Acuna, Kelly’s cellmate, said in an interview that guards “were threatening them that if they didn’t move or comply, they would be sent to the hole for not moving or refusing a bed assignment,” referring to solitary confinement.

From Voice of San Diego

Once transferred to Karaj Prison, he spent an additional 15 days in solitary confinement.

From The Daily Beast

I was put in a solitary confinement completely cut off from the outside world without even enjoying basic prisoner rights.

From The Daily Beast

I have been told that, if I continue with this protest, I will be placed in solitary confinement.

From The Daily Beast

Livvix, 30, is now in solitary confinement in the maximum-security Ayalon prison in Ramla, a city near Tel Aviv.

From The Daily Beast

Ibrahim says that his son spent over 10 years in solitary confinement because of these incidents.

From The Daily Beast

Here he had to stay in solitary confinement for twenty-four hours and on the plainest kind of a diet.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course you have to associate with a bad lot; still that is better than almost solitary confinement.

From Project Gutenberg

This fact, together with the opportunity for reflection afforded by solitary confinement, had its effect—its natural effect.

From Project Gutenberg

On the 4th of August, about one o'clock in the afternoon, I put into solitary confinement a plant-louse of the third generation.

From Project Gutenberg

Guard-room, disgrace, solitary confinement—in fact, everything has been tried; but all to no purpose.'

From Project Gutenberg