The SHU (pronounced “shoe”), or “security housing unit,” is a separate prison facility designed to isolate inmates from any human contact. … And while inmates in minimum security may be held in the SHU for a few days at most, those in maximum security prisons can be in solitary for as long as five years.

What does Shu mean?

Scoville Heat Unit, a measurement of hotness or spiciness in food. Security Housing Unit, a solitary confinement space in a maximum security prison.

What is Shu program?

The SHU stands for “Special Housing Unit”. This is essentially solitary confinement. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, the SHU is being used to quarantine inmates, regardless of security classification. This means that if you are self surrendering to a camp, you should be prepared to spend at least 14 days in the SHU.