SHU Fact Sheet

New York leads the nation in the use of disciplinary segregation

New York State has both the largest number of inmates and the greatest percentage of prisoners in disciplinary segregation. New York has the third-largest number of inmates in all forms of segregated housing (administrative, disciplinary, and protective custody) nationwide.

National average of state prisoners in disciplinary segregation: 2.6 percent.

Percentage of New York State prisoners in disciplinary segregation: 6.7 percent.

—The 2002 Corrections Yearbook

Prisoners with mental illness are disproportionately represented in special housing units (SHUs)

In New York State, 11 percent of prisoners are on the mental health caseload (approximately 7,500 individuals).

Of state prisoners in disciplinary segregation, 23 percent are on the mental health caseload (approximately 820).

—Department of Correctional Services

Inmates with mental illness in disciplinary segregation have documented symptoms

Nearly one-third of prisoners with mental illness in New York State SHUs had prior psychiatric hospitalizations.

More than one-half suffer from depression; 28 percent are diagnosed with either schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.

—Correctional Association survey
of 162 prisoners with mental illness in SHUs

Prisoners spend exceedingly long periods in disciplinary confinement

While the average SHU sentence is five months, many inmates are actually confined for much longer; this figure does not include the consecutive sentences that correction officials mete out to inmates who violate rules in lockdown.

There is no limit to the length of time a prisoner can be sentenced to the SHU. Some inmates spend years in the SHU, finish their prison sentences in disciplinary confinement and return from this severe isolation straight to their communities without any transition or services to help them function outside the prison.  

Inmates with mental illness reported an average disciplinary confinement sentence of 38 months—seven times that of SHU prisoners generally.

—Correctional Association survey of 162 prisoners with mental illness in SHUs

A high rate of self-injury is found in SHUs

Between 1998 and 2001, more than 50 percent of the system’s 48 suicides occurred in 23-hour lockdown, although less than 7 percent of the prisoner population is housed in these units.

More than half (53 percent) of inmates with mental illness in SHUs reported previous suicide attempts while in prison.

Forty percent of inmates with mental illness in SHUs reported committing acts of self-mutilation while in prison.

—Correctional Association survey
of 162 prisoners with mental illness in SHUs

There is insufficient care for prisoners with mental illness

The prison system’s sole psychiatric hospital, Central New York Psychiatric Center, has space for only 200 inmate-patients. Its capacity has not grown since it opened in 1980, although the prisoner population has tripled.

There are 579 Intermediate Care Program beds systemwide, enough to accommodate only one-third of inmates with serious mental illness in New York State prisons.

Approximately 20 percent of all mental health positions are vacant—35 percent for psychiatrists, 25 percent for psychologists and 11 percent for nurses. Governor Pataki’s proposed addition of 264 treatment beds is insufficient for the 820 inmates with mental illness in disciplinary segregation.

—Department of Correctional Services