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The Brain in Solitude: An (Other) Eighth Amendment Challenge to Solitary Confinement

Solitary confinement lacks consistent rules and often causes harm, yet courts rarely find it unconstitutional. New neuroscience research suggests extreme isolation inherently deprives basic human needs and can cause lasting brain damage.

eighth amendmentextreme isolationneuroplasticitypunishmentsocialneurosciencesolitary confinement
(2019)

There Is No One Here to Protect You: Trauma Among Children Fleeing Violence in Central America

Children fleeing violence in Central America arrive at the U.S. border with significant trauma. Many experience severe physical and psychological issues, yet U.S. policies often worsen their suffering.

childrentraumaasylumviolenceUSUnited StatesCentral America
(2019)

Linn v. State

The Iowa Supreme Court reinstated a murder defendant's claim, finding that expert testimony on battered woman syndrome and trauma could be critical, and denying funds for such an expert was an abuse of discretion.

murder defendantpostconviction claimexpert testimonybattered woman syndrometraumadenying fundsabuse of discretionrevived claim
(2019)

State v. Jenkins

The Nebraska Supreme Court found prolonged solitary confinement can worsen mental illness. However, the court did not consider it a mitigating factor because the defendant's misconduct caused the isolation.

Solitary confinementmental illnesspsychological harmmitigationdefendant's misconductlasting harmisolation
(2019)

Brief of the Promise of Justice Initiative and National Association for Public Defense as Amici Curiae in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that Mr. McKinney's death sentence relies on outdated understandings of PTSD and trauma. It asserts that his horrific childhood abuse and neglect were not adequately considered.

childhood abuseneglectPost-Traumatic Stress DisorderPTSDdeath sentencemitigationtraumaleniency
(2019)

Brief of Amici Curiae Kenneth Wyniemko and the Innocence Project

The brief argues that showup identifications are inherently unreliable and often lead to wrongful convictions. It contends that the stationhouse showup of Mr. Sammons was unnecessarily suggestive and violated his rights.

showupseyewitness identificationwrongful convictionsmisidentificationsuggestive identificationlineup procedure
(2019)

Brief of Amici Curiae the Innocence Project, Inc. and the Midwest Innocence Project in Support of Appellant

This brief argues that eyewitness identification is often unreliable and can lead to wrongful convictions. It asks the Court to allow expert testimony on factors affecting eyewitness reliability.

eyewitness identificationexpert testimonywrongful convictionsreliabilitymisidentification
(2019)

Brief of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as Amicus Curiae in Support of Petitioner

This brief argues that Roderick White's Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses was violated.

Sixth AmendmentConfrontation Clausecross-examineout-of-court statementcross-examinerecanted statementDNA evidence
(2019)

Brief for the American Psychological Association as Amicus Curiae Supporting Appellant

This brief argues that due process protections for eyewitness identification apply regardless of who created the suggestive circumstances. It asserts that the focus should remain on reliability to prevent miscarriages of justice.

DNA exonerationseyewitness identificationssuggestive circumstancesreliabilitymisidentificationbehavioral science
(2019)

Madison v. Alabama

The Supreme Court ruled that memory loss by itself does not prevent execution. The key question is whether a prisoner rationally understands the reason for their execution despite a mental disorder.

8th Amendmentexecutionmemory lossdementiamental disorderrational understanding
(2019)

Risk of Psychosis Among Refugees: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Refugees have an increased risk of developing nonaffective psychosis compared to native populations and non-refugee migrants. This risk is higher due to traumatic experiences and significant psychosocial challenges.

refugeespsychosisnative populationsrisk factors
(2019)

The Return of the Repressed: The Persistent and Problematic Claims of Long-Forgotten Trauma

The debate over repressed memories continues, with the term "dissociative amnesia" now often used as a substitute. Beliefs in repressed memories remain prevalent and carry significant risks in clinical and legal settings.

(2019)

Intrusive Memories of Trauma: A Target for Research Bridging Cognitive Science and its Clinical Application

This review examines how advances in cognitive science improve understanding of intrusive memories after trauma. It demonstrates how combining different research fields helps explain their development and reduction.

intrusive memorymental imagerypost traumatic stresspsychological traumacognitive sciencetreatment innovation
(2019)

Anxiety, Depression, Impulsivity, and Brain Structure in Children and Adolescents

This article explores how anxiety, depression, and impulsivity relate to brain structure in children and adolescents. It aims to identify unique and shared brain differences linked to these continuous symptoms.

AnxietyDepressionImpulsivityCortical thicknessSubcortical volume
(2018)

Around the World, Adolescence Is a Time of Heightened Sensation Seeking and Immature Self-regulation

Adolescent behavior is often explained by the "dual systems" model. This model suggests a developmental imbalance: a strong drive for sensation seeking combined with still-developing self-control.

YouthSensation-seekingSelf-regulationCross-cultural Risk-takingDevelopmental patterns Adolescence
(2018)