Litigation Over Sleep Deprivation in U.S. Jails and Prisons

Abstract

Incarceration can disrupt healthy sleep, and insomnia is associated with psychiatric symptoms and poor general medical health among incarcerated people. In recent years, considerable litigation has arisen over sleep deprivation in U.S. jails and prisons. This column examines litigation over conditions of incarceration, such as noise, inadequate bedding, constant illumination, medication restrictions, and early wake-up times, that may affect sleep duration and quality. The potential adverse effects of inadequate sleep on incarcerated individuals, as well as associated litigation, suggest the need for policies that reduce unnecessary sleep deprivation and promote healthy sleep in correctional facilities.

Sleepless behind bars: the connection between mental health, environment, and sleep among women in jail

“…These findings are consistent with the lawsuits against correctional facilities for environmental conditions that negatively impact sleep [ 10 ]. These results indicate that environmental factors exacerbated in the incarceration environment influence sleep quality.…”

“…Correctional facilities pose numerous environmental challenges to good sleep. Considerable litigation has been brought against correctional facilities for conditions that impact inmates’ ability to sleep [ 10 ]. These lawsuits mention conditions such as constant noise and light, inadequate bedding, inability to access sleep medications, early wake times, and policies that inhibit quiet hours [ 10 ].…”

“…Considerable litigation has been brought against correctional facilities for conditions that impact inmates’ ability to sleep [ 10 ]. These lawsuits mention conditions such as constant noise and light, inadequate bedding, inability to access sleep medications, early wake times, and policies that inhibit quiet hours [ 10 ]. Some of these lawsuits suggest that conditions that prohibit sleep constitute cruel and unusual punishment for inmates, as sleep is a basic human need.…”

The impact of COVID-19 on the treatment of opioid use disorder in carceral facilities: a cross-sectional study

“…Many of the most severe COVID-19 outbreaks in the US have occurred in carceral settings, where the risk of acquiring a COVID-19 infection is more than four-fold higher and the rate of COVID-19-associated death is more than three-fold higher than the non-incarcerated population (Mukherjee & El-Bassel, 2020 ; Schnepel et al, 2021 ). COVID-19’s transmission and severity in carceral settings may be mediated by limited spatial autonomy, overcrowded congregate living environments, hygiene restrictions, frequent exposure to community contacts (e.g., incoming residents, staff, site visitors), poor baseline health status, and living conditions that undermine immune functioning (e.g., chronic stress, social isolation, poor nutrition, persistent sleep disruption) (Chandra, 1997 ; Cook et al, 2015 ; Morris et al, 2021 ; Mukherjee & El-Bassel, 2020 ; Pressman et al, 2005 ; Sawyer, 2017 ; Segerstrom & Miller, 2004 ; Wurcel et al, 2020 ; Zee & Turek, 2006 ). Persons with a history of OUD have additional risks for COVID-19, with 2.4 times higher likelihood of acquiring COVID-19 and 1.4 times higher mortality from the infection than persons without OUD (Baillargeon et al, 2021 ; Wang et al, 2020 ).…”

A Game of Hold It: The Influence of Place Management on Jail and Prison Victimization

“…John et al, 2022); and in relation to appropriate sensory conditions. For instance, poor lighting, noise, temperature, and air quality within the correctional setting can negatively impact persons in custody by creating the potential for violent victimization to occur and deleterious health outcomes (Morris et al, 2021;Colucci et al, 2021). Together, physical conditions and how a place is governed overlap with one another.…”