2022 New Jersey Revised Statutes
Title 30 - Institutions and Agencies
Section 30:4-82.8 - Limitations on use of isolated confinement in correctional facilities.

30:4-82.8 Limitations on use of isolated confinement in correctional facilities.

4. a. The use of isolated confinement in correctional facilities in this State shall be limited as follows:

(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of subsection d. of this section, an inmate shall not be placed in isolated confinement unless there is reasonable cause to believe that the inmate would create a substantial risk of serious harm to himself or another, including but not limited to a correctional police officer or other employee or volunteer in the facility, as evidenced by recent threats or conduct, and a less restrictive intervention would be insufficient to reduce this risk. Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of subsection d. of this section, the correctional facility shall bear the burden of establishing this standard by clear and convincing evidence.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (1), (3), and (4) of subsection d. of this section, an inmate shall not be placed in isolated confinement for non-disciplinary reasons.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (1) of subsection d. of this section, an inmate shall not be placed in isolated confinement before receiving a personal and comprehensive medical and mental health examination conducted by a clinician; however, in a county correctional facility, a preliminary examination shall be conducted by a member of the medical staff within 12 hours of confinement and the clinical examination shall be conducted within 48 hours of confinement, but if staffing levels require, the period for conducting a clinical examination may be extended to 72 hours of confinement.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (1) of subsection d. of this section, an inmate shall only be held in isolated confinement pursuant to initial procedures and reviews which provide timely, fair and meaningful opportunities for the inmate to contest the confinement. These procedures shall include the right to an initial hearing within 72 hours of placement absent exigent circumstances, and a review every 30 days thereafter, in the absence of exceptional circumstances, unavoidable delays, or reasonable postponements; the right to appear at the hearing; the right to be represented at the hearing; an independent hearing officer; and a written statement of reasons for the decision made at the hearing.

(5) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (3) of subsection d. of this section, the final decision to place an inmate in isolated confinement shall be made by the facility administrator.

(6) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (7) of subsection a. of this section and paragraph (3) of subsection d. of this section, an inmate shall not be placed or retained in isolated confinement if the facility administrator determines that the inmate no longer meets the standard for the confinement.

(7) A clinician shall conduct a mental health and physical health status examination for each inmate placed in isolated confinement on a daily basis, in a confidential setting outside of the cell whenever possible, to determine whether the inmate is a member of a vulnerable population; however, in a county correctional facility, an inmate in isolated confinement shall be evaluated by a member of the medical staff as frequently as clinically indicated, but at least once per week. Except as otherwise provided in subsection d. of this section, an inmate determined to be a member of a vulnerable population shall be immediately removed from isolated confinement and moved to an appropriate placement.

(8) A disciplinary sanction of isolated confinement which has been imposed on an inmate who is removed from isolated confinement pursuant to paragraph (7) of subsection a. of this section shall be deemed to be satisfied.

(9) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (1) of subsection d. of this section during a facility-wide lock down, an inmate shall not be placed in isolated confinement for more than 20 consecutive days, or for more than 30 days during any 60-day period.

(10) Cells or other holding or living space used for isolated confinement are to be properly ventilated, lit, temperature-monitored, clean, and equipped with properly functioning sanitary fixtures.

(11) A correctional facility shall maximize the amount of time that an inmate held in isolated confinement spends outside of the cell by providing, as appropriate, access to recreation, education, clinically appropriate treatment therapies, skill-building activities, and social interaction with staff and other inmates.

(12) An inmate held in isolated confinement shall not be denied access to food, water, or any other basic necessity.

(13) An inmate held in isolated confinement shall not be denied access to appropriate medical care, including emergency medical care.

(14) An inmate in a State correctional facility shall not be directly released from isolated confinement to the community during the final 180 days of the inmate's term of incarceration, unless it is necessary for the safety of the inmate, staff, other inmates, or the public. An inmate in a county correctional facility shall not be directly released from isolated confinement to the community during the final 30 days of the inmate's term of incarceration, unless it is necessary for the safety of the inmate, staff, other inmates, or the public.

(15) An inmate shall not be held in isolated confinement based on the inmate's race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, marital status, domestic partnership or civil union status, affectional or sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or breastfeeding status, sex, gender identity or expression, disability or atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait.

b. Except as otherwise provided in subsection d. of this section, an inmate who is a member of a vulnerable population shall not be placed in isolated confinement.

c. An inmate shall not be placed in isolated confinement or in any other cell or other holding or living space, in any facility, with one or more inmates if there is reasonable cause to believe that there is a risk of harm or harassment, intimidation, extortion, or other physical or emotional abuse to that inmate or another inmate in that placement.

d. Isolated confinement shall be permitted under limited circumstances as follows:

(1) The facility administrator or designated shift commander determines that a facility-wide lock down is required to ensure the safety of inmates in the facility until the administrator or shift commander determines that these circumstances no longer exist. The facility administrator or shift commander shall document specific reasons why any lockdown is necessary for more than 24 hours, and why less restrictive interventions are insufficient to accomplish the facility's safety goals. Within 15 days the commissioner shall publish the reasons on the Department of Corrections website and provide meaningful notice of the reasons for the lockdown to the Legislature.

(2) The facility administrator determines that an inmate should be placed in emergency confinement, provided that:

(a) an inmate shall not be held in emergency confinement for more than 24 hours; and

(b) an inmate held in emergency confinement in a State correctional facility shall receive an initial medical and mental health evaluation immediately prior to placement in emergency confinement and a personal and comprehensive medical and mental health evaluation within 24 hours. The examination shall be conducted by a member of the medical staff within 12 hours of confinement and the comprehensive medical and mental health evaluation within 72 hours. Reports of these evaluations shall be immediately provided to the facility administrator.

(3) A clinician, based on a personal examination, determines that an inmate should be placed or retained in medical isolation.

The decision to place and retain an inmate in medical isolation due to a mental health emergency shall be made by a clinician based on a personal examination. In any case of isolation under this paragraph, a clinical review shall be conducted at least every eight hours and as clinically indicated. An inmate in medical isolation pursuant to this paragraph may be placed in a mental health unit as designated by the commissioner. In the case of a county correctional facility, a decision to place an inmate in medical isolation shall be made by a member of the medical staff and be based on a personal examination; clinical reviews shall be conducted within 72 hours and then as clinically indicated.

(4) The facility administrator determines that an inmate should be placed in protective custody as follows:

(a) The facility shall keep a written record of a request by an inmate to be placed in voluntary protective custody. The inmate may be placed in voluntary protective custody only with informed, voluntary consent and when there is reasonable cause to believe that confinement is necessary to prevent reasonably foreseeable harm. When an inmate makes an informed voluntary request for protective custody, the correctional facility shall bear the burden of establishing a basis for refusing the request.

(b) The inmate may be placed in involuntary protective custody only when there is clear and convincing evidence that confinement is necessary to prevent reasonably foreseeable harm and that a less restrictive intervention would not be sufficient to prevent the harm.

(c) An inmate placed in protective custody shall receive similar opportunities for activities, movement, and social interaction, consistent with their safety and the safety of others, as are inmates in the general population of the facility.

(d) An inmate subject to removal from protective custody shall be provided with a timely, fair, and meaningful opportunity to contest the removal.

(e) An inmate who may be placed or currently is in voluntary protective custody may opt out of that status by providing informed, voluntary, written refusal of that status.

(f) The facility administrator shall place an inmate in a less restrictive intervention, including transfer to the general population of another institution or to a special-purpose housing unit for inmates who face similar threats, before placing the inmate in isolated confinement for protection unless the inmate poses a security risk so great that transferring the inmate would be insufficient to ensure the inmate's safety.

L.2019, c.160, s.4.