An Act to provide criminal justice reform protections to all prisoners in segregated confinement

This bill updates Massachusetts state law to standardize protections for all prisoners placed in segregated confinement, which includes various forms of isolation like disciplinary housing and mental health watch. It establishes specific definitions for different housing types, such as secure adjustment units designed for rehabilitation and secure treatment units for those with serious mental illness, while ensuring these areas offer access to education, recreation, and visitation comparable to the general population. The legislation also mandates that prisoners in these units retain certain rights, including access to personal property and communication devices, unless a qualified mental health professional determines it is unsafe to do so. By amending existing statutes, the bill aims to ensure that conditions in isolated housing are not more restrictive than those in general population units and that inmates receive necessary services and opportunities.