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The SHU (Security Housing Unit), also known as solitary confinement, is an isolation ward that is located separately from the main cell blocks at Litchfield Penitentiary
In the SHU, inmates are locked in their cells 24 hours a day, with only a few showers a week. Meals are delivered through a slot in the door to increase security.
The lights in the SHU are kept on constantly, which has caused many inmates to lose their sense of time. Having no contact with others has caused many inmates in SHU to go completely insane. Constant screaming is heard 24/7 as inmates try to let out their anger and sadness.
Inmates
Piper Chapman was sent to SHU three times, once for angering Healy, again for nearly beating Pennsatucky to death, and once more for breaking into Fig's office to retrieve financial statements.
When Piper is in SHU for the first time, she communicates with her neighbor through ductwork in the wall. Her neighbor tells her that she has been in SHU for 9-12 months, causing Piper to realize that she could be in there for that amount of time as well. It is never revealed whether or not this "neighbor" was a real person or just a hallucination due to stress.
Taslitz, an older woman and part of the Golden Girls, was sent to SHU for attempted murder of a fellow immate. She was targeting Vee, but accidently stabbed the wrong person.
Janae Watson is sent the SHU regularly, even being added to the list of changes for the hunger strike.
Sophia Burset was sent to SHU after being jumped in her salon. The head of the MCC said it's for "her own safety".
Maritza Ramos was sent to SHU for a couple of days because she attempted to blackmail Bennett.
Nicky Nichols was sent to SHU prior to the first episode.
Tricia Miller was sent to SHU in season one, episode eight due to these of drugs within the prison. She was later released from SHU in episode ten of the first season.