solitary confinement

American  

[sol-i-ter-ee kuhn-fahyn-muhnt] / ˈsɒl ɪˌtɛr i kənˈfaɪn mənt /

noun

1. the confinement of a prisoner in a cell or other place in which they are completely isolated from others.

---

solitary confinement British  

noun

1. isolation imposed on a prisoner, as by confinement in a special cell

---

Etymology

Origin of solitary confinement

First recorded in 1775–85

Example Sentences

Seven years later, Gonzales was transferred to Pelican Bay State Prison’s Security Housing Unit, then the most restrictive facility in California, where he was held in solitary confinement for about 25 years.

From Los Angeles Times

Yoon has been held in solitary confinement while fighting multiple criminal trials.

From Barron's

For the last five years, he has been held in solitary confinement at a maximum security prison - a detention his son believes is causing his health to "tremendously suffer".

From BBC

He is in ill health and has spent most of the last five years in solitary confinement, the lone window fixed to block sunlight.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lai’s lawyers say he has several chronic health conditions and suffers from being in solitary confinement.

From The Wall Street Journal