Third Circuit Allows Suit Against Prison For Putting Man In 26 Years of Solitary Confinement

Pennsylvania death-row prisoner with a history of mental illness is held in solitary confinement for 26 years. He sues a prison official, who does not dispute whether that violates the Eighth Amendment, arguing only that he is entitled to qualified immunity. Third Circuit: There's "no room for doubt that individuals with a known history of serious mental illness have a clearly established right not to be subjected to prolonged solitary confinement without penological justification." No QI. District Court’s grant of summary judgment vacated.

The case is Williams v. Sec'y Pa. Dep't of Corr., No. 22-2399 (3d Cir. Sept. 20, 2024).