Criminology

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https://hdl.handle.net/11416/970

This collection includes scholarly output from both faculty and students in Criminology.

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In and Out of “The Lifestyle”: Theoretical Explanations for Female Offending and Desistance From Crime
(Violence and Victims, 2022-10-01) Carter, Lisa M.
This qualitative study of theoretical frameworks was conducted to explain criminal offending and attitudes towards desistance from crime for a sample of 26 women reintegrating back into society after incarceration. Theoretical pathways and desistance theories were used to provide themes for analyzing in depth interviews, journal entries written by the study’s participants, and halfway house records. Pathways and desistance perspectives suggest that gendered pathways can explain how women are led into criminal lifestyles, as well as how their criminality may come to an end. Distinct gender-specific policy implications and programs, as well as directions for future research, are also discussed. © 2022 Springer Publishing Company.
The future of community corrections is now: Stop dreaming and take action
(Sage Publications, Inc., 2012) Lutze, Faith E.; Johnson, W. Wesley; Clear, Todd R.; Latessa, Edward J.; Slate, Risdon N.
The political, economic, and social context in which community corrections functions makes it extremely difficult to achieve successful outcomes. The current fiscal crisis, however, is forcing change as many states can no longer support the cost of our 30-year imprisonment binge. As in the past, community corrections will be expected to pick up the pieces of an overcrowded and expensive prison system. The authors argue that community corrections is capable of taking on this challenge and can be successful if policy makers take action to reduce prison and community supervision populations, ensure that agencies are structured to proactively support evidence-based practice, and recognize corrections as a human services profession. The authors present a number of actions that can be taken to promote a new era of shared responsibility in corrections that is framed within a human rights perspective and driven by an ethic of care.
Introduction (Editorial)
(Taylor & Francis, 2017) Marcum, Catherine D.; Carter, Lisa M.
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines the reentry process for a special group of offenders: females. It discusses how lack of dependable transportation—an issue experienced by a large majority of female offenders due to low income and geographic barriers—affects the ability to gain employment, attend required meetings and treatments, and other daily life affiliations. The book addresses the physical needs specifically affiliated with the female and how lack of medical treatment during incarceration, and living in an unhealthy environment, can negatively impact health after release. It explains an issue unique to females: reproductive and gynecological needs. The book also discusses the difficulty maintaining family bonds during incarceration due to visitations issues and placement of children, and the challenges females meet when attempting to reunite with family members and children during reentry.
The federal witness protection program: Its evolution and continuing growing pains
(aylor & Francis Group, 1997) Slate, Risdon N.
The history of the Federal Witness Security Program, commonly called the Witness Protection Program, is recounted. The operations of the program since its inception in 1970 have grown beyond anyone's wildest speculations.
From the jailhouse to capitol hill: Impacting mental health court legislation and defining what constitutes a mental health court
(Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, 2003) Slate, Risdon N.
This article examines congressional testimony preceding the passage of legislation authorizing federal funds for mental health courts and makes the case for the importance of anecdotal evidence in the process. The magnitude of persons with mental illness in the criminal justice system is considered, as well as factors that have led to the criminalization of this population. The concept of therapeutic jurisprudence is discussed, and commonalities in the emergence of mental health courts and methods of supervision are examined. Areas of concern are addressed, and mental health courts are advocated as a commonsense approach to diverting persons with mental illness from the criminal justice system and ensuring linkages to treatment.
Lying probationers and parolees: The issue of polygraph surveillance
(Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, 1996) Slate, Risdon N.; Anderson, Patrick R.
Probationers and parolees do not always tell the truth, and the officers who supervise them assume this. How can they tell when someone is lying? One way is through use of the polygraph--commonly, but not quite accurately, referred to as the "lie detector." Authors Risdon N. Slate and Patrick R. Anderson discuss polygraph accuracy, polygraph surveillance of probationers, and state and federal court findings regarding polygraph surveillance.
Training federal probation officers as mental health specialists
(Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, 2004-09) Slate, Risdon N.; Feldman, Richard; Roskes, Erik; Baerga, Migdalia
The rate of mental illness in the offending population is estimated at about three to four times that of the general population. Here, Slate et al suggest the establishment of a certified training model for mental health specialists in federal supervision, and describe the necessary components of such program.
Police Stress: A Structural Model
(Springer US, 2007-11) Slate, Risdon N.; Johnson, W. Wesley; Colbert, Sharla S.
A number of existing studies have identified various factors that contribute to stress among police officers. This analysis is unique among these insofar as it employs structural equation modeling to specify, in path model format, the influence of participation in workplace decision-making and other variables on employee stress levels. The findings of this analysis provide new as well as confirmatory statistical evidence regarding the mitigating and direct effects of certain variables on physical stress. This study poses important implications by lending itself to meaningful future comparative research across occupations such as corrections and probation / parole.
Probation officer stress: Is there an organizational solution?
(Administrative Office of the United States Courts, 2000-06) Slate, Risdon N.; Johnson, W. Wesley; Wells, Terry L.
Reviews research on factors in probation officer stress and possible organizational remedies. Findings from stress studies include a direct correlation between occupational level and job satisfaction; significant causes of stress from unnecessary paperwork, lack of time to accomplish the job, financial concerns, uncertainty about retirement benefits, insufficient mileage reimbursement, and family matters; and a greater propensity for quitting among entry-level probation officers and among better educated and minority probation officers. Findings on possible organizational remedies include an emphasis on participatory management as a means of reducing probation officer stress and/or burnout. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)
Doing Justice for Mental Illness and Federal Probation and Pretrial Services Officers as Mental Health Specialists
(Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, 2003-12) Slate, Risdon N.; Roskes, Erik; Feldman, Richard; Baerga, Migdalia
Mental health problems are notably common among correctional populations, including community corrections populations. The attthors analyze breakdowns of mental illness in these populations and the treatment in prison before focussing on the peculiar problems of supervising defendants and offenders suffering from mental illness. They emphasize the challenges and benefits of collaborations with therapeutic resources in the community. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
Health Coverage for People in the Justice System: The Potential Impact of Obamacare
(Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, 2014-09) Slate, Risdon N.; Usher, Laura
Individuals and families with incomes between 133 and 400 percent of FPL will be eligible for financial assistance to help them purchase private health insurance coverage through health exchanges recently established in every state (Cardwell & Gilmore, 2012).2 For example, based on the year 2013 figures, the 133 percent FPL for an individual was set at $15,281.70 and at $31,321.50 for a family of four (Poverty Guidelines, 2013). Expansion of Medicaid Could Provide Significant Benefit to the Criminal Justice System The expansion of Medicaid is significant for the criminal justice system because an estimated 90 percent of persons entering jails in America today do not have any health insurance, with health care costs primarily incurred by states and counties (Hamblin & Heiss, 2013).
Participative management and correctional personnel: A study of the perceived atmosphere for participation in correctional decision making and its impact on employee stress and thoughts about quitting
(Elsevier Ltd, 1997) Slate, Risdon N.; Vogel, Ronald E.
Participatory management has been identified in the empirical literature as a technique to alleviate job related stress in criminal justice organizations. Although many advantages have been noted, few criminal justice agencies have developed programs to capitalize on the benefits of employee participation in decision making. This article focuses on the perceptions of correctional officers regarding their participation in decision making and the relationship between organizational stress, physical stress, and thoughts about quitting the job. Four hundred eighty-six employees were surveyed from seven correctional institutions in the Southeast United States. A structural model, which explained 31 percent of the variation, showed that as employee participation increased, physical and occupational stress decreased. Thoughts about quitting were associated with higher levels of physical stress, occupational stress, and the perception of a negative atmosphere for participation. The results lend support for the use and development of participatory management programs in the field of corrections.
Opening the Manager's Door: State Probation Officer Stress and Perceptions of Participation in Workplace Decision Making
(Sage Publishing, 2003) Slate, Risdon N.; Wells, Terry L.; Johnson, W. Wesley
Stress can be costly not only to individuals but also to organizations. Participatory management has been recommended as a means for reducing probation officer stress. This article via self-report surveys of probation personnel in a southern state considers the relationship of a number of demographic variables with employee perceptions of participation in workplace decision making, job satisfaction, and organizational and physical stress levels. Construction of a structural model revealed that employee perceptions of participation in a workplace decision making was an important variable in relationship to job satisfaction and its influence on both reported organizational and physical symptoms of stress. The results lend further credence to the use and development of participatory management schemes within probation organization. .
Stressors Experienced by State and Federal Probation Officers
(Oxford University Press, 2012-12) Slate, Risdon N.; Johnson, W. Wesley
While there is a body of literature and research that focuses on the job of state probation officers, there is scant research on federal probation officers. This chapter reviews prior research on probation officers, then presents a pilot study that is among the first to compare the stressors experienced by state and federal probation officers. Differences in state and federal probation officers’ stressors are examined and discussed in reference to their role in a human service agency. Particular attention is given to how the nature of their work is related to their wellbeing and system functioning. Results indicate that state and federal probation officers do share some stressors, but also differ on the amount they experience other stressors. Limitations of the study are addressed, recommendations for future exploration are offered, and issues affecting management are discussed.
“Sing Me Back Home:” Using Country Music to Clarify Criminological Theory in Undergraduate Courses
(Routledge, 2022-03) Stogner, John; Slate, Risdon N.; Blankenship, Chastity; McKee, Jesse
Abstract The inclusion of music is central to early education pedagogy as an efficient means of conveying information and a mechanism for knowledge retention, yet these tools are generally omitted from higher educational approaches. Drawing on prior studies highlighting how musical assignments successfully supplemented traditional criminal justice coursework, a criminological theory course was redesigned with music as a core component. Musical selections were included and discussed in each class meeting as well as being tied to class assignments within a pilot course. Teaching techniques were refined over several semesters with the revised course framework including more student involvement, somewhat approaching a flipped classroom model whereby the instructor and students equally shared musical selections relevant to course curriculum. The instructor perceived students were more invested in the course. The professor-student dynamic also appeared to become more intimate due to both sharing music about which they were personally passionate. Further, the instructor’s inclusion of crime-specific songs from older musical genres appeared to disrupt students’ stereotypes associating crime with other genres and demographics. We offer a summary of the techniques for teaching a criminological theory course framed by instructor presentations of “outlaw” country music; guidance is also provided for utilizing other genres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Criminal Justice Education is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Gender Matters Differences in State Probation Officer Stress
(Sage Publications, 2006) Wells, Terry L.; Colbert, Sharla S.; Slate, Risdon N.
The causes of stress for criminal justice practitioners, including probation officers, can generally be categorized into four areas: internal to the organization, external to the organization, the job or task itself, or personal in nature. Historically, criminal justice agencies have been characterized as male-dominated organizations. However, the presence of females in the criminal justice arena is growing, as evidenced in this project. The purpose of this analysis is to examine female and male perceptions of stress among what has been a predominately male-occupied position, probation officers. Overall, the findings suggest that female probation officers exhibit greater signs of physical stress yet, remarkably, reflect lower levels of occupational stress in the study at hand. With the limitations of this study in mind, prospects for further research are delineated.
Introduction
(Routledge, 2017) Carter, Lisa M.; Marcum, Catherine D.
Status frustration among college students: The relationship between socioeconomic status and undergraduate performance
(Routledge, 2018-06-03) O’Donnell, Cullen T.; Blankenship, Chastity
Cohen’s status frustration theory explains that even though everyone is encouraged to achieve a high status in society, lower-class people have very small chances of successfully doing so. Students from a private college and a public community college were given questionnaires about socioeconomic statuses, college majors, career plans, grades, and participation in delinquent activities. Findings support specific components of Cohen’s theory. Minority and lower-class students participated in more deviant behaviors. Results also revealed significant differences in prestige of career goals between students of different social classes. Finally, there was a significant relationship between perceived opportunities and grade point averages.
“Sing me back home:” Using country music to clarify criminological theory in undergraduate courses
(Taylor & Francis, 2022) Stogner, John; Slate, Risdon N.; Blankenship, Chastity; McKee, Jesse
The inclusion of music is central to early education pedagogy as an efficient means of conveying information and a mechanism for knowledge retention, yet these tools are generally omitted from higher educational approaches. Drawing on prior studies highlighting how musical assignments successfully supplemented traditional criminal justice coursework, a criminological theory course was redesigned with music as a core component. Musical selections were included and discussed in each class meeting as well as being tied to class assignments within a pilot course. Teaching techniques were refined over several semesters with the revised course framework including more student involvement, somewhat approaching a flipped classroom model whereby the instructor and students equally shared musical selections relevant to course curriculum. The instructor perceived students were more invested in the course. The professor-student dynamic also appeared to become more intimate due to both sharing music about which they were personally passionate. Further, the instructor’s inclusion of crime-specific songs from older musical genres appeared to disrupt students’ stereotypes associating crime with other genres and demographics. We offer a summary of the techniques for teaching a criminological theory course framed by instructor presentations of “outlaw” country music; guidance is also provided for utilizing other genres.
The effects of victim gender identity, juror gender, and judicial instructions on victim blaming, crime severity ratings, and verdicts in sexual assault trials
(Taylor & Francis, 2022-02-18) Carter, Lisa M.; Goodmon, Leilani B.; Urs, Medhini; Rutledge-Jukes, Heath
Transgender individuals may experience social discrimination and unfair legal considerations as crime victims. The current purpose was to investigate the relationship between the participant/jurors’ gender, the victims’ gender identity, and judge’s instructions to ignore the gender identity of the victim on perceptions of the victim and the crime and verdicts rendered in a sexual assault case. Overall, crime severity ratings were significantly lower for the trans male victim compared to the cisgender female victim. Male participants reported lower crime severity ratings for trials involving transgender victims compared to cisgender victims. However, victim blaming, likelihood that the defendant committed the crime, sentencing recommendations, verdict confidence, and conviction rates did not vary by the victim’s gender identity, the participant’s gender identity, nor the judge’s instructions. Participant gender as a predictor of verdict approached significance, indicating a trend for males to render more not guilty verdicts and females to render more guilty verdicts. In summary, male jurors perceived the crimes involving transgender victims as less severe and this may have impacted the rate of not guilty verdicts.

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