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Jailhouse Informants: Psychological and Legal Perspectives

Online ISBN:
9781479803330
Print ISBN:
9781479803309
Publisher:
NYU Press
Book

Jailhouse Informants: Psychological and Legal Perspectives

Jeffrey S. Neuschatz,
Jeffrey S. Neuschatz
University of Alabama
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Jonathan M. Golding
Jonathan M. Golding
University of Kentucky
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Published online:
22 September 2022
Published in print:
8 March 2022
Online ISBN:
9781479803330
Print ISBN:
9781479803309
Publisher:
NYU Press

Abstract

Over the years, prosecutors have recognized that one piece of evidence is very persuasive to jurors—testimony from a jailhouse informant (JI). A JI is a witness (typically for the prosecution in a criminal case) during a trial who testifies (often in exchange for an incentive, such as reduced jail time) that he has gained evidence about a fellow inmate’s case while in prison. Understanding the psychological influence of JI testimony in the courtroom has recently led psychology and law researchers to consider this evidence in a variety of investigations. This research shows that JI testimony leads to more guilty verdicts than when this testimony is not presented. In addition, JI testimony leads to as many guilty verdicts as an incriminating confession made by a defendant to the police. This book offers a broad understanding of JI testimony, historically, legally, and psychologically. First, the book provides clear examples of the use of JI testimony in a variety of cases and presents the use of JI testimony in historical perspective. The latter includes data on how often JI testimony is used and in what kinds of cases, demographics of JIs, outcomes, and outcomes overturned. The book also reviews the vast amount of psychological research pertinent to JI testimony—there are chapters on confessions, lying and lie detection, expert testimony, and perceptions of JI testimony. Finally, the book integrates historical, legal, and psychological coverage by offering recommendations for dealing with JI testimony in court.

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