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.
Reuters leads the week with an op-ed from Pace Haub Law Professor John Bandler on how organizations can build stronger cybersecurity programs amid escalating digital threats. Professor Bandler outlines practical steps to protect against cybercrime and better manage information systems.
Haub Law Professor Bennett Gershman writes a piece in amNewYork examining New York’s Grieving Families Act. Professor Gershman explores the legal and policy implications of proposed changes to the state’s wrongful death statute, raising concerns about how the legislation could affect families, courts, and the broader civil justice system. Professor Gershman also writes in New York Law Journal, examining renewed calls for federal courts to reassert their supervisory power amid mounting criticism of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Haub Law Professor and Director of the Immigration Justice Clinic Amelia Wilson speaks to Newsweek about immigration court backlogs nationwide. Professor Wilson notes that while the backlog has declined significantly in 2025, the abrupt dismissal of experienced immigration judges has created new regional challenges that could slow progress.