About the SHU Cell Repilca

The NRCAT solitary prison cell replica is a part of the nationwide interfaith campaign to expose and end the torture of solitary confinement in U.S. prisons, jails and detention centers. Inspired by the work of WISDOM in Wisconsin, the original architects of the cell replica project), NRCAT collaborated with a local carpenter to construct a solitary prison cell replica that is now on tour to various houses of worship and interfaith venues nationwide. The replica was constructed in the worship space of an Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, and includes audio recording from a maximum security prison in Maine. People are invited to sit in the cell (for up to one hour), and those who have are very moved and motivated to take action. The cell replica has been on display at Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, DC, the Islamic Circle of North America's Annual Convention in Baltimore, the United Church of Christ General Synod in Cleveland, OH, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches Statewide Conference on Mass Incarceration, Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA, the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, IN and Kean University in Union, NJ.

The goal of the cell replica, by going on tour to different congregations, is for participants to see what it is like to be in solitary confinement. We hope participants can have a few minutes to sit by themselves and think about what it would be like to be in a cell for years.

Take Action
Click here to learn more about what you can do to help end the practice of solitary confinement. 

Assembly Guide and How-to Video

Please click here to view the replica solitary confinement cell assembly guide.