U.S. Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy has criticized the system of mass incarceration in the United States, saying it relies too heavily on solitary confinement and is “broken.” Kennedy, seen as the most moderate voice on the court, and often a key swing vote, made the comments before a House panel.

Justice Anthony Kennedy: “We had a case come before our court a few weeks ago. The prisoner had been in an isolation cell, according to the attorney — I haven’t checked it out — for 25 years. Solitary confinement literally drives men mad. Even Dr. Manette had his workbench and his cobblers’ tools in Tower 105 North, and even he lost his mind. And we simply have to look at this system that we have. … We haven’t given nearly enough study, nearly enough thought, nearly enough investigative resources to looking at our corrections system. In many respects, I think it’s broken.”