president obama announce via op-ed washington post enact major reform federal prison system put end solitary confinement juveniles prohibit practice punishment low-level infractions reform take report justice department list recommendations improve system estimate approximately 10,000 individuals would affected.unfortunately apply federal prison system majority prison inmates incarcerate state-level crimes even mind still bold necessary step reform american prisons serve model state follow.president obama make case follow subject prisoners unnecessary solitary confinement know effect expect return communities whole people make us safe affront common humanity.the justice department complete review adopt recommendations reform federal prison system include ban solitary confinement juveniles response low-level infractions expand treatment mentally ill increase amount time inmates solitary spend outside cells step affect 10,000 federal prisoners hold solitary confinement hopefully serve model state local corrections systems direct relevant federal agencies review principles report back plan address use solitary confinement.source wapowhile acknowledge sometimes solitary confinement require certain individuals president obama make clear punishment overuse end cause harm good many cases.there many 100,000 people hold solitary confinement u.s. prisons include juveniles people mental illnesses many 25,000 inmates serve months even years sentence alone tiny cell almost human contact.research suggest solitary confinement potential lead devastate last psychological consequences link depression alienation withdrawal reduce ability interact others potential violent behavior study indicate worsen exist mental illnesses even trigger new ones prisoners solitary likely commit suicide especially juveniles people mental illnesses.source wapohopefully first step turn long path reform bring prison system realm cruel unusual punishment intend along.featured image via georgia straight president obama put end inhumane punishment federal prison system