SB 787 Pennsylvania Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for solitary confinement.

SB 787 establishes new rules for solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons and detention facilities. It defines solitary confinement as confinement alone for 20+ hours daily and prohibits its use for vulnerable populations - including youth, the elderly, pregnant individuals, LGBTQ+ people, and those with mental health or developmental disabilities - without specific medical evaluation. The bill limits solitary confinement to 15 consecutive days or 20 days in a 60-day period, requires a hearing within 72 hours of placement, and mandates daily clinical evaluations to identify vulnerable inmates who must be removed immediately. Facilities must also provide basic necessities, daily outside time, and prohibit 24-hour cell lighting without medical justification.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced May 27, 2025 Last action May 27, 2025
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Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
1
May 27, 2025
Committee
Referred to Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors

Sponsors