Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Season 10 Episode 6 Solitary Confinement

In season 10 episode 6 of Last Week Tonight With John Oliver, titled "Solitary Confinement," the show delves into the harsh and often inhumane practice of solitary confinement in the United States prison system.

Oliver begins by describing the stark reality of solitary confinement, where inmates are often forced into isolation for 23 hours a day with little human contact or sensory stimulation. He then goes on to highlight the staggering number of individuals who have experienced or are currently experiencing solitary confinement in the US, emphasizing its widespread use and its devastating impact on mental health.

The show also takes a critical look at the justification for solitary confinement's use and the supposed benefits it is intended to provide, questioning whether it truly serves as an effective means of punishment and rehabilitation. Oliver delves into the damaging effects of solitary confinement on individuals' mental and physical health, citing studies and testimonies from those who have experienced it firsthand.

The episode also explores the racial disparities in the use of solitary confinement, highlighting how Black and brown individuals are disproportionately affected. It goes on to examine the ways in which solitary confinement has been used as a tool of retaliation against prisoners who seek change within the system, such as those who protest poor living conditions or demand better healthcare.

Throughout the episode, Oliver speaks with individuals who have experienced solitary confinement, including Albert Woodfox, who spent more than four decades in solitary confinement in Louisiana's Angola prison, and Tyrell Muhammad, who spent nine years in solitary confinement in New York's Attica prison. Their stories provide a powerful insight into the traumatizing effects of the practice.

The show also looks at alternatives to solitary confinement that have been implemented in other countries, such as Canada and Norway. These alternatives focus on providing inmates with more human interaction and an opportunity for socialization, which has been shown to have more positive outcomes in terms of rehabilitation.

As always, the episode incorporates Oliver's signature humor and wit, but it also shines a light on a serious and often overlooked issue in the US's justice system. The show provides a thought-provoking examination of the use of solitary confinement and its impact on those within the system, calling for a reevaluation of the practice and a push towards more humane and effective forms of punishment and rehabilitation.