PSYCHOLOGY AND THE LIMITS TO PRISON PAIN - CONFRONTING THE COMING CRISIS IN 8TH AMENDMENT LAW

This article examines the nexus between modern psychological theory (e specially contextual or situational models of behavior), contemporary prison policy, and the legal concept of cruel and unusual punishment. It briefly reviews the history of imprisonment in the United States an d the role of psychology in the development of prison punishment. An a nalysis of research on the psychological effects of imprisonment is pr esented, followed by a discussion of contemporary 8th Amendment law. F inally, modern psychological theory is used as the basis for a series of proposed correctional and legal reforms.