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S 3432 114th Congress Senate

Solitary Confinement Reform Act

Official title: A bill to reform the use of solitary confinement and other forms of restrictive housing in the Bureau of Prisons, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 28, 2016 Introduced by: Durbin, Richard J. Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
Crime and Law Enforcement Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAdministrative remediesAssault and harassment offensesChild safety and welfare
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This bill died when the 114th Congress ended
It never became law before the 114th Congress (2015–2016) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 28, 2016
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6231-6235; text of measure as introduced: CR S6232-6235)
Sep 28, 2016
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action September 28, 2016

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6231-6235; text of measure as introduced: CR S6232-6235)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Solitary Confinement Reform Act

This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish standards for the use of solitary confinement at federal prisons.

It limits the use of solitary confinement to situations that meet certain criteria, including that the confinement is limited to the briefest term and the least restrictive conditions practicable. It also prohibits, with limited exceptions, solitary confinement of inmates who are younger than 18 years of age, disabled, pregnant, or recently pregnant.

The bill requires the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to establish a transitional process for inmates in solitary confinement, requires inmates in solitary confinement to receive comprehensive mental health evaluations, and requires BOP employees to complete training on mental illness and the psychological effects of solitary confinement.

It establishes, within the BOP, an Office of the Civil Rights Ombudsman. The office must be headed by a Civil Rights Ombudsman appointed by the Attorney General.

The BOP must annually assess and report on the use of solitary confinement.

The Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance must establish and administer a solitary confinement resource center.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3432: Solitary Confinement Reform Act. 114th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-3432/
MLA
"S. 3432: Solitary Confinement Reform Act." 114th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-3432/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3432, 114th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-3432/.
Markdown link
[S. 3432: Solitary Confinement Reform Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/114-S-3432/)
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