In Illinois law, there are no limits on how long a person can be held in isolated confinement, which violates an internationally recognized standard called the Nelson Mandela Rules.

SB 2257 / HB 4828 would create the Nelson Mandela Act, also known as the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act. This bill would bring Illinois into compliance with the Nelson Mandela Rules by limiting the use of isolated confinement in prisons, jails, and immigration facilities, and by requiring:

• Everyone be allowed out of their cells at least four hours a day, or that,
• When a person needs to be kept in a cell for more than 20 hours a day, that can only last 10 days in any 180-day period.
• The Illinois Department of Corrections to post online quarterly reports on the use of isolated confinement.