This week’s pick of news and commentary about solitary confinement:

Current and former detainees at Eloy Detention Center in Arizona say Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed them in solitary for refusing to self-deport. Afghan teenager Samir Aghar described days that drag on and nights where he cries and thinks about death, saying he just wants to sleep and not wake up. Maksim Borisov, a Russian man who sought asylum for being gay, said he felt the same despair. For more than a year, he strugged with depression while trying to avoid being sent back into solitary confinement. Both Aghar and Maksim described lasting psychological harm from detention and solitary, saying the experience left them feeling punished for simply seeking safety. Arizona Daily Star | When Narges Dehghani arrived at Eloy, she was already at a breaking point after surviving kidnapping, rape, and political persecution in Iran. During intake, she admitted to thinking about suicide, which resulted in her immediately being handcuffed and placed in solitary confinement. For days she was isolated in a cold cell with no mattress or blanket, triggering memories of past torture. She says solitary confinement made her feel dehumanized and worsened her condition. Advocates argue this kind of isolation is often used as a default response in detention, even though it can intensify despair and psychological harm. Arizona Daily Star

ICE data shows that at least 22,400 immigrants were placed in solitary confinement from 2022-2026, but gaps in reporting likely hide the true number. Reporting rules changed in late 2024, making comparisons between the Biden and Trump administrations difficult. Missing data from dozens of detention facilities, including Guantanamo Bay, and unclear tracking of medical isolation leave major questions unanswered. Advocates and experts say detainees are often isolated for disciplinary or medical reasons and warn the practice can seriously harm people, especially as immigration detention expands. The Rock Island Argus

Amber Kim, a transgender woman, says she spent nearly two years in solitary confinement after being transferred from a women’s to a men’s prison. Her case is now a part of a larger national debate as the Justice Department investigates Washington state’s policy allowing transgender women to be housed in women’s prisons. Federal officials say they’re reviewing claims that the policy poses safety risks for incarcerated cisgender women, while civil rights groups argue it protects incarcerated transgender people from violence and abuse in custody. Union-Bulletin

Several former residents of the Wyoming Boy’s School say they were subjected to excessive force, physical abuse, and long stretches of solitary confinement. One former resident even alleged he was shot with a bean bag gun and run over by a side-by-side (Utility Task Vehicle)—claims the state strongly denies. In a new court filing, Wyoming officials disputed the accounts of abuse, arguing staff acted lawfully and reasonably while maintaining order at the facility. The lawsuit, brought by six former residents, accuses the school of systemic mistreatment and unconstitutional conditions. WyomingNews

Action Alert:
SF DocFest will feature the world premiere of The End of Isolation on May 31 at 2:15 PM PST at the Vogue Theater in San Francisco. The film delves into the story of formerly incarcerated activists and how they are reimagining justice to build a more human future. Filmmaker Sarah Shourd, herself a solitary survivor, will be going live on Substack at 11 am PST on premiere day to answer questions and discuss the film. Tickets are required to attend the premiere, which will be followed by an after-party celebration. SF DocFest | Substack