Hunger Strikes After Restricted Housing Reform

Area of Science:

• Criminology
• Public Health
• Prison Reform

Background:

• Hunger strikes are prevalent in carceral settings, posing significant health risks and increasing healthcare utilization.
• A 2017 study indicated hunger strikes in New Jersey prisons often occurred in disciplinary settings.
• The Isolated Confinement Restriction Act (ICRA) was enacted to improve confinement conditions, including reducing disciplinary housing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act (ICRA) on the frequency and duration of hunger strikes in New Jersey correctional facilities.
• To determine if reforms to conditions of confinement influenced hunger strike behavior.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study analyzing hunger strike data before and after the implementation of the ICRA.
• Statistical analysis to compare strike frequency, mean duration, median duration, and the rate of prolonged strikes (greater than three days).

Main Results:

• The overall frequency of hunger strikes remained unchanged post-ICRA.
• The mean duration of hunger strikes significantly decreased from 28.9 to 9.7 days (p = .034).
• The median strike duration reduced from four to three days, and the rate of strikes exceeding three days declined (60.3% to 45.2%; p = .049).

Conclusions:

• While ICRA did not alter the frequency of hunger strikes, it was associated with a significant reduction in their duration.
• These findings suggest that reforms improving conditions of confinement can mitigate the health dangers and associated healthcare costs of hunger strikes.
• Hunger strikes continue as a protest method, but their reduced duration may indicate a positive impact of confinement reforms on associated risks.