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Monday, June 25, 2018

Coming Soon to Solitary Confinement Cells: Nature Videos

After a study showed that watching nature videos can have positive benefits for inmates, some prisons are adding them to their lineup.

Inmates held in solitary confinement live up to 23 hours of each day in a tiny cell with limited contact with other humans. The practice has been found to lead to adverse behavioral effects in inmates, including anxiety, depression, hopelessness and violent outbursts.

Most prisoners in solitary lack access to fresh air and natural light. But according to a recent study, those things can be simulated to improve their behavior and well-being.

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Environment in September found that inmates who were shown nature videos for 45 minutes up to five times a week exhibited a 26 percent reduction in discipline referrals. Nearly half of the inmates reported improved moods that lasted for several hours after watching the videos, and 80 percent of them said the videos made their time in solitary easier to bear.

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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

They should do the same for the guards.

Anonymous said...

Solitary confinement is a preferred choice of many inmates. They don't want to have to deal with all the drama of another inmate in their cell. They don't want another inmate using 'their' toilet, stealing their commissary or watching a TV station or playing music loud when they are trying to sleep.

Many inmates are very 'territorial' about their cell and don't want to share it at any cost.

Besides, if you are placed in solitary confinement your meals are brought to your cell and you don't have to make the walk to the general population dining hall.