Everyday thousands of humans and millions of nonhumans endure solitary confinement. Human prisoners held in this way are confined for 22 to 24 hours a day for weeks, months, or even years on end in cells the size of a parking space. For these humans, the experience is tortuous. Captive animals held in solitary confinement similarly spend much of their lives locked into tiny spaces, isolated, and deprived of the types of interactions and environment essential to their wellbeing. And, like humans, they are driven mad. In human and nonhuman settings, the agony of solitary is chillingly alike and harmful. And, in neither setting is it justifiable or necessary.
In their article, Powerless Beings: Solitary Confinement of Humans and Non Humans in America, published in Nebraska Law Review, Haub Law Professors Michael Mushlin and David Cassuto use a comparative format to examine the moral, penological and scientific shortcomings of solitary confinement across species. The article sheds light on the importance of empowering all creatures subjected to solitary confinement. “If we adequately protect all vulnerable beings, the unnecessary suffering inflicted by solitary confinement will finally end,” they write.
Haub Law Professor Bennett Gershman speaks with Gothamist about New York’s Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct and its first disciplinary case. Gershman noted the choice surprised many observers because the case did not involve courtroom misconduct, explaining that more common allegations involve prosecutors withholding exculpatory evidence, engaging in inflammatory courtroom behavior, or suborning perjury.
Haub Law Vice Dean for Academic Affairs Jill Gross provides expert insight to Chief Investment Officer about the SEC’s policy shift allowing companies to require shareholder disputes to be resolved through private arbitration. Gross notes that limiting shareholder class actions could weaken an important mechanism for uncovering corporate misconduct through the civil litigation system.
Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Team earned top honors at the New York Law School NIL and College Sports Negotiation Competition, held March 7–8, with one Pace Haub Law team winning the championship and the other finishing as runner-up.