Introducing the Lead Staff Member for Young Adult Program in Suffolk County, Massachusetts 

Suffolk County District Attorney's Office | November 2024

In November 2024, Mswati Hanks assumed the position of Intensive Case Manager for the Young Adult Program of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office in collaboration with the Center for Law, Brain and Behavior, the Neurotech Justice Accelerator at Mass General Brigham, and a consortium of community providers.  

The Young Adult Program, which begins this month in the Dorchester Courthouse, is designed to dismantle the “cradle to prison” pipeline through a diversion program for persons aged 18 to 25 years. Guided by a concern for both injustice and public safety, the program will identify young offenders likely to benefit from rehabilitation services and to provide them with educational and vocational opportunities. The goal is to demonstrate a path to reducing mass incarceration of poor and/or minority youth, high recidivism rates and the negative longterm consequences of prosecution and prison time.

Originally from upstate New York, Mr. Hanks has called Boston home for almost 30 years. After realizing his calling and life’s purpose after his own incarceration, he committed himself to advocating for social and criminal justice reform and to working in direct service with young people of Boston and surrounding areas as a mentor, coach, advocate, and teacher. As a certified recovery coach, trained in cognitive behavioral therapy, Mr. Hanks’ most recent position was with Massachusetts General Hospital in the community outreach substance use division. 

Mr. Hanks has interacted with almost every "system" in the city, including Boston’s Public Schools, health care organizations, and juvenile and adult judicial and carceral systems, as well as with City Hall and the State House. He brings a unique skill set and extensive experience working with the people who will be served by the Young Adult Program. Regarding his new role, Mr. Hanks says, “I truly believe that education and equity across all systems, especially our judicial system, is essential to lifting one out of poverty, or any situation for that matter, and hopefully through my work, the legacy I leave behind will be one of impact and inspiration.”

Pictured: Mswati Hanks, right, with Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, left

Exoneration of Sandra Hemme

The National Registry of Exonerations | December 17, 2024

CLBB Founding Co-Director Judith Edersheim, JD, MD, provided expert testimony that helped secure the exoneration of Sandra Hemme, who spent 43 years in a Missouri prison following wrongful conviction for murder in 1985. Dr. Edersheim and a team from The Innocence Project successfully pointed out deep flaws in police interrogation procedures, including Hemme's wildly inconsistent statements due to the effects of psychiatric medications given during interrogations, and suppression of evidence implicating a corrupt then-police officer in the murder. Hemme, who was released in July of this year at the age of 64, was the longest held, wrongly incarcerated woman known in the United States, according to The Innocence Project.

Building Resilience on the Bench

Judicial Institute of Massachusetts Conference | October 24, 2024

The Massachusetts courts have a formal mentoring program called J2J (Judge to Judge), which allows experienced judges to mentor newly appointed judges as they assume their appointments to the bench. Dr. Judith Edersheim was the keynote speaker for the Institute's two special day-long sessions addressing vicarious trauma in the judiciary. Dr. Edersheim presented the neuroscience of trauma and stress: both the specific determinants of stress and trauma in the judiciary and the negative impacts of these traumatic experiences upon performance and well-being. In addition, she offered data-driven strategies on how to combat the effects of these experiences both on and off the bench.

Keynote on Mental Illness in the Courtroom: Flaschner Judicial Institute's Retreat for Probate and Family Court Judges

Flaschner Judicial Institute | November 7, 2024

Dr. Judith Edersheim gave the keynote address at the Flaschner Judicial Institute’s annual Hon. Haskell C. Freedman Retreat for Probate and Family Court Judges. The two-day retreat provides an opportunity for judges to convene with an agenda of issues in their courtrooms which require education and joint action. Her talk provided practical strategies for judges to identify signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use disorders which might prejudice litigants, and offered targeted strategies to maximize both litigant participation and rational progress during courtroom proceedings.

Aging Populations: Opportunities and Challenges for Wealth Managers

Republic Capital Group | December 4, 2024

CLBB Executive Director Robert Kinscherff, PhD, JD, in a joint presentation with Professor Ramesh Rao (Director, Landon Center on Wealth Management, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas – Austin), reviewed the special vulnerabilities of elders to financial fraud and exploitation. The presentation focused on developing a holistic, relational approach to working with clients, advocating for a shift away from traditional, technical, and transactional relationships.

Neuroscience and Accountability: How Emerging Neuroscience Impacts Our Understanding of Accountability Among Juveniles and Transitional Aged Youth

Frazier Support Services and University of Wisconsin – Parkside | November 21, 2024

Dr. Kinscherff presented the plenary address for the Second Annual Conference on Juvenile Justice hosted by Frazier Support Services and the University of Wisconsin – Parkside. His talk examined “accountability” for court-involved adolescents and emerging young adults—“individual “accountability” for misconduct viewed through a developmental lens, and “systems accountability” of child/family-serving systems that often fail to identify or meet the needs of youth. Implications for juvenile/criminal justice policy, law and practice when considering both “individual” and “systems” accountability were examined. 

Integrating the Science of Adolescent Brain Development Into Post-Mattis Sentencing and Post-Sentencing Advocacy

Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys | November 21, 2024

Dr. Kinscherff’s plenary address for the MACDA annual conference summarized key findings from developmental neuroscience, social science, and behavioral science relevant to sentencing of adolescents and young adults. His presentation supported the conference theme of integrating this science into legal advocacy in trial and appellate cases in light of the January 2024 Mattis decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court extending protections against life without possibility of parole (LWOP) to persons convicted of capital crimes committed between ages 18–20 (inclusive).

Guest Opinion Piece on Role of Judges in Trump Era

The New York Times | December 26, 2024

An op-ed authored by CLBB Managing Director Judge and former district Judge Nancy Gertner and former federal prosecutor Joel Cohen appeared in The New York Times on December 26, 2024. Gertner and Cohen argue that “Now, when judges are asked to review warrant applications, or any other ex parte submissions from the government, they should do so through a different lens, much more scrupulously than ever before.”

International Assembly of Chiefs of Police Annual Convention

IACP Boston | October 14, 2024 

Dr. Kinscherff and former CLBB/Petrie Flom Center International Fellow in Law and Applied Neuroscience Saul Glick participated in a invitational roundtable discussion in Boston on enhancing police responses to individuals with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) at the International Assembly of Chiefs of Police's annual convention. The multidisciplinary discussion included the director of the federal Bureau of Justice Assistance, Karhlton F. Moore, and focused upon police response to individuals with TBI, opportunities for innovative police and community partnerships, collaborative programming to support persons with TBI, and resource and training needs to support safe and effective police responses to individuals with TBI.

Pictured from left to right: Saul Glick, Karhlton F. Moore, Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Dr. Robert Kinscherff, and Marissa Farina-Morse, Supervisory Grants Management Specialist

The Neuroscience of Substance Use and Misuse: Are There Better Ways for Us to Protect Children?

AFCC New York Annual Conference | December 13, 2024 

The Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) conference provided an evidence-informed blueprint for understanding and intervening with challenging families, including parent-child contact problems and resist-refuse dynamics, and focused upon practical tools and techniques for psychologists, other mental health professionals, attorneys, and court services personnel. CLBB NeuroLaw Library Director Stephanie Tabashneck, PsyD, JD, discussed how substance use and misuse impacts parenting, including crafting science-based solutions that protect children, attachment, and their relationships with their parents.

Boston Globe Letter to the Editor Responds to Opinion Piece on Raising the Age

The Boston Globe | December 29, 2024 

In a letter to The Boston Globe editor, Dr. Tabashneck commented on the December 22 piece by Opinion columnist Jeff Jacoby on efforts to raise the age for adult criminal responsibility from 18 to 21 years. Dr. Tabashneck cited well established scientific evidence about brain development and age-crime trajectories, arguing that treating older adolescent and young adults like adult offenders and placing them in adult correctional facilities actually increases the likelihood of their reoffending.

New Juvenile Justice Commission to Focus on Re-entry, Accountability, and How to Talk About the Needs of Children

The Baltimore Sun | November 7, 2024

Federal Judge Andre Davis (ret.) has been appointed to the newly established Maryland Juvenile Justice Commission, which aims to address critical issues in juvenile justice, including re-entry, accountability, and the importance of discussing the unique needs of children. As a commissioner, Davis brings his extensive legal experience to the table, focusing on creating more effective strategies for reintegrating young people into society after they leave the juvenile justice system. His work emphasizes a shift toward rehabilitative approaches, advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being and future success of children, rather than solely punitive measures.

No. 2 House Democrat Easily Wins Reelection in Massachusetts

The Hill | November 6, 2024

The Honorable Katherine M. Clark, JD, Congresswoman, Massachusetts 5th District, Democratic Whip, successfully secured re-election in 2024, continuing her role as a key leader in Congress. As a member of the House of Representatives, Clark has been recognized for her advocacy on issues such as child welfare, education, and economic justice. As House Democratic Whip, she plays a crucial role in shaping party strategy and advancing progressive policies. Throughout her tenure, Clark has been a strong voice for her constituents and has worked tirelessly to address the challenges facing working families across the country.

New York Times Guest Essay Cites Work of National Education Equity Lab

The New York Times | December 27, 2024

In an Opinion piece in The New York Times by Wesleyan University President, Michael S. Roth, the National Education Equity Lab was cited for its work in creating higher education opportunities for students in Title 1 high schools. The New York-based non profit organization, which was founded in 2019 by CLBB Founding Advisory Board member Leslie A. Cornfeld, JD, offers free college classes in historically underserved communities. Participating students earn transferable college credits and receive mentorship and support to pursue a college degree.

Hon. Jay Blitzman (ret.) Receives MPA Humanitarian Award

Massachusetts Psychological Association | November 2, 2024 

Honorable Jay Blitzman (ret.) received the Humanitarian Award of the Massachusetts Psychological Association for his "outstanding contributions to the humanitarian goals of society, through service and activism, and to the enhancement of its educational, psychological, and social process."

Applied Learning in Advanced Asylum Medicine Piloting Experiential Learning in Forensic Medical Evaluations

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | November 6, 2024

Altaf Saadi, MD, MSC, Massachusetts General Hospital, and colleagues created a 12-week curriculum designed to train clinicians in trauma-informed forensic medical and mental health evaluations (FMEs) for asylum seekers. Following review of didactic materials, participants engaged in case-based practice. This innovative, adaptable curriculum offers a promising model for asylum medicine training.

Sexual Trauma, Polygenic Scores, and Mental Health Diagnoses and Outcomes

JAMA Psychiatry | October 30, 2024

Jordan T. Smoller, MD, SCD, Massachusetts General Hospital, and colleagues examined the impact of sexual trauma and polygenic risk factors on the likelihood of developing schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder. This genetic association study identified significant correlations between a history of sexual trauma and the incidence of mental health disorders across a cohort of nearly 100,000 patients from diverse geographic regions.

Heart Rate Variability Biomarkers Identify Adverse Posttraumatic Neuropsychiatric Sequelae After Stress Exposure

Science Direct | December 2024 

Justin T. Baker, MD, PhD, Harvard Medical School, and colleagues explored the relationship between heart rate variability biomarkers and the development of adverse symptoms following trauma exposure. The findings suggest that alterations in heart rate variability may be linked to these symptoms, indicating that wrist-worn heart rate monitors could serve as a valuable tool for screening and monitoring individuals at risk for post-traumatic complications in the future.

Stress Timing, Trauma Exposure, and Family Resilience Differently Affect Internalizing and Externalizing Symptoms at 3, 5, and 7 Years of Age

Communications Psychology | October 29, 2024

Charles A. Nelson, PhD, Harvard Medical School, and colleagues investigated the impact of the timing of stressful events and trauma on mental health during early childhood. The research, which assessed internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children at ages 2, 3, 5, and 7, found significant evidence linking the timing and recency of traumatic experiences to the development of these symptoms.

The Surgeon General’s Advisory on Parental Stress

Psychology Today | October 1, 2024

Eugene Beresin, MA, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, co-authored an article addressing parental stress and the strategies parents and caregivers can use to mitigate the impact of daily stressors. It emphasizes the importance of self-care, particularly for the approximately two-thirds of parents and caregivers who experience isolation and loneliness. The work highlights practical tools and resources to support mental well-being in challenging caregiving environments.