Lasting effects of prison isolation

Steven Czifra studies in a UC Berkeley library   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Former Pelican Bay State Prison inmate Steven Czifra studies in his off-campus apartment.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Steven Czifra shows a photo of himself while he was at Pelican Bay State Prison in Northern California.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Pelican Bay State Prison public information officer Lt. Christopher Acosta guides a media tour of the Security Housing Unit, where about 1,200 inmates are held in isolation.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Two inmates are escorted from their cells in the Security Housing Unit at Pelican Bay State Prison to the medical unit.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Inmate Daryl Baca stands in his Security Housing Unit cell at Pelican Bay State Prison.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Javier Zubiate is one of about 1,200 inmates who are held in isolation in the Security Housing Unit of Pelican Bay State Prison.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Belongings of inmates in a two-bunk cell in the general population area of Pelican Bay State Prison.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

The cells in the general population area at Pelican Bay State Prison are simple and stark, with a pair of bunk beds, a toilet, and sometimes a television.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

Inmates in the general population area of Pelican Bay State Prison play basketball in the exercise yard.   (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)

An inmate sits alone in the general population area exercise yard at Pelican Bay State Prison.  (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times)