“Sunlight is the best disinfectant” - first transparency report on solitary confinement in Illinois is just a start, say advocates. Mentally ill inmates in Illinois placed in solitary confinement nearly 500 times monthly, new state report shows.
CHICAGO — The Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) released its first quarterly report this week on the use of solitary confinement, as required under a new state law aimed at increasing transparency around the controversial practice. But advocates say the initial data, covering April and May 2025, falls short of offering the clarity and accountability promised under Public Act 103-1074. Signed into law in March 2025, Public Act 103-1074 mandates that IDOC produce quarterly and annual reports detailing how solitary confinement—referred to as “restrictive housing”—is used, including who is subjected to it, for how long, and why. The legislation was backed by a coalition of civil rights groups including the Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, Restore Justice, and Uptown People’s Law Center.
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According to the report, 2,420 individuals were placed in solitary confinement in April, with a slight increase to 2,483 in May. The IDOC population stood at 29,029 as of March. However, the report offers no information on how long people remained in solitary, whether placements overlapped from earlier periods, or if individuals were counted more than once. “This is a first step, but it is very limited in its scope,” said Nicole Schult, Legal Director of Uptown People’s Law Center. “We still have many questions about how solitary confinement is used in Illinois prisons. We fought for transparency in this new law, and we hope future reports will provide a clearer look into this torturous practice.” Among the most troubling findings, the report shows that nearly 500 instances per month involved people classified as “Severely Mentally Ill” being placed in solitary confinement. The report does not clarify whether these were unique individuals or repeat placements. Racial disparities also emerged in the data. In April, 63% of individuals placed in solitary confinement were Black; in May, that figure rose to 65%. Black individuals make up 55% of the total prison population, according to IDOC data. No use of alternatives to solitary confinement was reported in either month. These findings alarm advocates who argue that solitary confinement is not only ineffective but also harmful. The United Nations’ “Mandela Rules” define prolonged solitary confinement—more than 15 consecutive days—as a form of torture. Illinois currently has no statutory limit on the length of time a person can be held in solitary. “I’ve seen firsthand the devastating and long-lasting effects solitary confinement can have on a person’s mental and physical health,” said Brian Beals, a Future Leaders Apprentice with Restore Justice. “It’s critical that we get accurate data and reporting to bring to light what is really happening.” The IDOC stated in the report that it is developing improved systems to offer more comprehensive data in future releases. Meanwhile, the same coalition of advocates is urging the Illinois General Assembly to pass the Nelson Mandela Act (SB 65/HB 1428), legislation that would limit the use and duration of solitary confinement statewide. For now, the report marks a small but significant step in public accountability, even as advocates push for stronger oversight and reform.
