the first comment by the supreme court of the united states about solitary confinement's effect on prisoner mental status was made in 1890 (in re medley 134 u.s. 160). in it the court found that the use of solitary confinement produced reduced mental and physical capabilities. the use of solitary confinement in prisons was first introduced to regulate unruly prisoners and keep them away from the rest of the prison society (haney, craig; lynch, mona). however, solitary confinement has been linked to several developments of mental disorders, one of which being ganser syndrome. a man developed ganser syndrome after being held in solitary confinement for a long-term sentence; however, that development is seen as rare and is unlikely in most cases.