HB0259 - Isolated Confinement Restriction Act

• Defines isolated confinement as confinement in a cell for more than 20 hours in any 24-hour period and limits its use to a maximum of 10 consecutive days or 10 days total in any 180-day period.

• Allows isolated confinement only with informed, voluntary written consent when used as protective custody, and permits inmates to opt out of protective custody status at any time.

• Requires inmates out of cell to have access to activities including job assignments, educational classes, meals, recreation, medical appointments, visits, and group therapy.

• Mandates the Department of Corrections post quarterly reports on isolated confinement usage broken down by age, sex, gender identity, ethnicity, mental illness status, and facility; reports must include data on emergency confinement, self-harm, suicide, assault, lockdowns, and healthcare access.

• Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to require disciplinary procedures for cases involving segregation, isolation, or isolated confinement to comply with the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act, effective January 1, 2018.