can then try to recognize the time by the meals you are given. But, they might deliberately confuse us by switching things up, like bringing eggs for dinner.” Palestinian political prisoner Interview: January 2016 Numerous studies on the psychological impact of solitary confinement and isolation have all shown extremely damaging effects on a prisoner’s mental state, including: “sleep disorders, depression and anxiety, psychotic disorders such as visual and auditory hallucinations, paranoia, disorientation in time and space, and severe confusion and cognitive disorders.”200 Those who suffer from pre-existing mental illnesses sustain much further damage from these isolating conditions, meaning that the policy of placing a prisoner in isolation due to mental illness should be of grave concern.201 Addameer has found that; “While confinement is difficult for persons who do not suffer from mental illnesses, it may be intolerable for those who do suffer from them,” and the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that isolation does not meet the standard of treatment for the mentally ill and that doing so is medically dangerous.202 For some prisoners, the psychological effects reverse themselves once solitary confinement is ended. Others, however, are rendered unable to function socially after release due to permanent mental damage.203 Israel has continued to use solitary confinement as a practice that is both widespread and coercive. Officially, solitary confinement is administered within the stipulations set down by Article 56 of the Israeli Prisons Ordinance, which lists offences that incur this form of punishment. However, these offences are so general that the application of Article 56 is entirely the prerogative of prison officials, leaving it open to abuse. These officials may choose to put prisoners in isolation for short periods, but can keep them there for six to twelve months longer with court approval. Courts and the Israeli Security Agency (ISA), also known as Shin Bet, can then renew isolation periods of up to 12 months indefinitely. Prisoners are given the right to challenge their placement in isolation but Israeli authorities can refuse to disclose any of the material used to give an isolation order, thus severely restricting the prisoners’ ability to defend themselves.204 Solitary 200 Ibid., pages 4-5 201 Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Isolation and solitary confinement of Palestinian Prisoners, op. cit., February 2016 202 Ibid. 203 Adalah, Physicians for Human Rights Israel and Al Mezan, Solidarity Confinement of Prisoners, op. cit., June 2011, page 5 204 Addameer, Isolation and Solitary Confinement of Palestinian Prisoners and Detainees in Israeli Facilities, August 2009, page 8. Available at: http://www.addameer.org/files/Briefings%20and%20 position%20papers/Addameer%20-%20Solitary%20Confinement%20&%20Isolation.pdf 56