Showing papers in "Criminal Justice Policy Review in 2011"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examine the social construction of hot spots policing, including the empirical, theoretical, social-political, technological, and media contexts that converged to promote its diffusion, revealing a partial, positively skewed image perpetuated among the public, scholars, and policymakers.
Abstract: Police practitioners and academics alike have heralded hot spots policing as evidence-based practice. It has encountered few hurdles in its path to widespread implementation in the United States. Examining the social construction of its diffusion, including the empirical, theoretical, social-political, technological, and media contexts that converged to promote its diffusion, reveals a partial, positively skewed image perpetuated among the public, scholars, and policymakers. Through a different lens, hot spots policing might have led to concerns about legitimacy, discussion of bias, and lack of public support. Instead, the infectious popularity of this reform may thus far have buffered it from critical consideration of the potentially disproportionate impact of hot spots policing on disadvantaged community members and its consequences for police legitimacy--evidence that should be important to evidence-based practice. This article promotes a research agenda that extends beyond short term crime-reduction to investigate these important unstudied consequences.
93 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the reentry experiences of 43 male offenders living in a small metropolitan community at the 3-month mark of their release from prison and found that core obstacles and strains in reentry, such as issues with money, employment, and reconnecting with...
Abstract: The number of people reentering society after imprisonment has increased dramatically in recent decades in direct correlation with the growing prison population. As a result, empirical studies of prisoner reentry have also increased, but these studies typically focus on large urban areas and use quantitative methodologies. The current study expands the existing literature by examining qualitatively the reentry experiences of 43 male offenders living in a small metropolitan community. Participants were interviewed at the 3-month mark of their release from prison. They were asked about the strains and obstacles they encountered at three distinct time periods since their release: the first days of release, the 1-month mark, and the 3-month mark. These former prison inmates were also asked to identify any program or service that had helped or could help their reintegration into society. The results suggest that core obstacles and strains in reentry, such as issues with money, employment, and reconnecting with...
67 citations
TL;DR: This paper examined the instrumental functions of sex offender legislation using survey data that asked about whether members of the public have checked the sex offender registry and the reasons behind their answer, and they found largely symbolic effects of registry legislation, and implications of this finding are discussed.
Abstract: Researchers interested in public policy have noted that laws may have a symbolic or an instrumental function. The example of sex offender legislation is used to look for both instrumental and symbolic effects of this legislation. Although the symbolic effects of sex offender legislation have been examined by prior research, less is known about the instrumental effects of this legislation. This research examines the instrumental functions of sex offender legislation using survey data that asked about whether members of the public have checked the sex offender registry and the reasons behind their answer. The findings of this study suggest largely symbolic effects of sex offender registry legislation, and implications of this finding are discussed.
58 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a longitudinal assessment of the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report's tier classifications is conducted to determine if U.S. funded anti-trafficking initiatives internationally target those countries in need.
Abstract: Anti-trafficking efforts have been adopted globally to curb human trafficking, yet many nations have failed to put initiatives into practice. As a consequence, the U.S. Department of State implemented the Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report to monitor and increase efforts worldwide and serve as a guide to funding anti-trafficking programs aboard. This exploratory study investigates the efficacy of this policy initiative by means of a longitudinal assessment of the TIP Report’s tier classifications, a system that grades countries based on anti-trafficking initiatives, and determines if U.S. funded anti-trafficking initiatives internationally target those countries in need. The findings suggest that tier ranking has not improved over time, and the United States has failed to systematically allocate funds based on the recommendations of the tier classification system. Policy recommendations and implications for future research are discussed.
40 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined prosecutorial decisions to reject gang-related homicide charges in Los Angeles, focusing on a large, "traditional" gang jurisdiction, and investigated the effect of victim, victim, and witness bias.
Abstract: This study examines prosecutorial decisions to reject gang-related homicide charges. Focusing on a large, “traditional” gang jurisdiction—Los Angeles—the authors investigate the effect of victim, s...
29 citations
TL;DR: Research indicates that public approval for the use of racial/ethnic profiling to prevent crime is low as mentioned in this paper, while recent research and polling data suggest the public is more supportive of the us...
Abstract: Research indicates that public approval for the use of racial/ethnic profiling to prevent crime is low. In contrast, recent research and polling data suggest the public is more supportive of the us...
24 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, offenders diverted from prison to community-based restrictive sanctions also face the challenge of social re-entry, which is referred to as transition from incarceration to community living.
Abstract: Reentry usually refers to the transition from incarceration to community living. However, offenders diverted from prison to community-based restrictive sanctions also face the challenge of social r...
23 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the first review specifically of studies that have examined the diffusion of criminal justice policies throughout U.S. states, and identify important gaps in current knowledge about the factors that affect the diffusion.
Abstract: Why do some criminal justice public policies spread rapidly throughout U.S. states, and other policies never take hold? To answer this question, this article presents the first review specifically of studies that have examined the diffusion of criminal justice policies throughout U.S. states. After a comprehensive review of key research databases, 23 studies are identified. The key findings of these studies are analyzed in great depth, with particular reference to cross-study differences in how three variables from the general policy literature—geographic proximity, political ideology, and media attention—were operationalized. The article identifies important gaps in current knowledge about the factors that affect the diffusion of criminal justice policies and suggests several directions for future research in this area.
22 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined a therapeutic technical violator program in the state of New Jersey called Halfway Back, and explored the impact of the program through a comparison of recidivism and incarceration costs among random samples of program participants and non-participants.
Abstract: Over the past three decades, concomitant increases in prison population and the use of parole, coupled with a more punitive parole philosophy and fiscal crises at every level of government, have prompted a renewed interest in intermediate sanctions— especially for technical parole violators. A number of jurisdictions have developed intermediate sanctions that are both custodial and therapeutic—but do not involve a return to prison—for technical violators. Despite their growing popularity, little research has examined these technical violator programs, and as a result, basic questions regarding their impact remain unanswered. This article examines a therapeutic technical violator program in the state of New Jersey called Halfway Back. Using a quasiexperimental, retrospective matched groups design, the study explores the impact of the program through a comparison of recidivism and incarceration costs among random samples of program participants (n = 227) and nonparticipants (n = 392). Results suggest that p...
22 citations
TL;DR: The authors investigated public perceptions about extending registries to other crimes and what types of registries are desired, and found that respondents who desired additional registries reported most support for registries of those who committed crimes against people.
Abstract: Registries are no longer limited to sex offenders, as other types of registries, such as a dangerous dog registry and a gun offender registry, have appeared. This study investigated public perceptions about extending registries to other crimes and what types of registries are desired. Data were obtained from more than 700 Michigan residents using a random digit dialling telephone survey. More than half indicated wanting more public registries in addition to sex offender registries. Viewing the sex offender registry, supporting sex offender registries, and being convicted of a crime were factors affecting support for other registries. Respondents who desired additional registries reported most support for registries of those who committed crimes against people. Implications of extending registries to other types of crimes are considered.
19 citations
TL;DR: A number of studies have been conducted that assess the role of the prosecutor on judicial decision-making in regard to the differential treatment African Americans may receive relative to Whites as mentioned in this paper, and some of these studies have shown that the role played by the prosecutor is crucial.
Abstract: A number of studies have been conducted that assess the role of the prosecutor on judicial decision making in regard to the differential treatment African Americans may receive relative to Whites. ...
TL;DR: In this article, the predictive validity of Risk Management Systems (RMS), a fifth-generation risk/needs assessment, was examined and the results indicated that recidivism and violence scores are predictive of arrests, technical violations, and unsuccessful terminations from supervision.
Abstract: This study examines the predictive validity of Risk Management Systems (RMS), a fifth-generation risk/needs assessment. In contrast to traditional risk assessments, the RMS uses exemplar-based modeling to classify offenders as high or low risk. Using a sample (N = 830) of offenders on supervised release by the U.S. Probation Office, the current study explores the relationship between the RMS scores and recidivism. The results indicate that RMS recidivism and violence scores are predictive of arrests, technical violations, and unsuccessful terminations from supervision. However, only a limited number of offenders were assigned to the high-risk category, which may limit the utility of the instrument. Policy implications are discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors highlighted the value of an ecological approach in explaining the maltreatment/ delinquency link and discussed the implications for policy and research, and highlighted the importance of ecological risks on persistent youth offending among maltreated children.
Abstract: Although research indicates that the presence of maltreatment affects delinquency when comparing maltreated with nonmaltreated children, studies examining maltreatment dimensions have been confounded by conceptual and methodological problems. This study featured within-group analyses that included methodological controls to examine effects of four maltreatment dimensions and other ecological risks on persistent youth offending among maltreated children. Results indicate that supervisory neglect, maltreatment recurrence, and maltreatment severity produce direct effects on persistent youth offending after controlling for individual and other environmental risks. Comparisons of effects indicate that supervisory neglect is the strongest predictor. The study highlights the value of an ecological approach in explaining the maltreatment/ delinquency link and discusses the implications for policy and research.
TL;DR: The Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) as discussed by the authors was the first federal criminal justice reform legislation to achieve passage without a single "no" vote in the U.S. Congress.
Abstract: Inmates have long been considered one of the most politically disenfranchised groups in the United States. Not surprisingly, the well-being of the incarcerated has rarely been considered a high priority for federal policymakers. The passage of the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA), however, reveals that reform through traditional policy making channels is attainable. The passage of PREA has provided reformers with more than optimism. It provides a roadmap for future efforts to transform prison conditions through legislative intervention. This manuscript explores the lessons learned from PREA’s success by identifying the traditional barriers to federal legislative prison reform and examining how PREA was able to navigate these obstacles and secure passage without a single "no" vote in the U.S. Congress. Special attention is given to the important role of evangelicals in the passage of this legislation.
TL;DR: The National Institute of Corrections urges use of motivational interviewing (MI) techniques by its workforce, and it is incumbent on criminal justice organizations to find effective methods of per... as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The National Institute of Corrections urges use of motivational interviewing (MI) techniques by its workforce, and it is incumbent on criminal justice organizations to find effective methods of per...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the relationship of a battery of delinquent background, commitment offense, and post-adjudication institutional misconduct variables on decisions to invoke or suspend the adult portion of a blended sentence.
Abstract: One of the most significant changes to juvenile justice processing in recent decades has been blended sentencing. Unlike traditional juvenile court or adult court waiver processes, blended sentencing statutes provide authority to juvenile or adult court judges to sanction delinquent offenders with juvenile and adult dispositions. Although state variations abound, most blended sentencing schemes feature a fail-safe postadjudication stage where decisions are made to suspend or invoke the adult portion of the original blended sentence. Based on data from 1,504 serious and violent male delinquents sanctioned via a blended sentencing statute, this study explored the relationship of a battery of delinquent background, commitment offense, and postadjudication institutional misconduct variables on decisions to invoke or suspend the adult portion of a blended sentence. Results of the analysis revealed that commitment offense type, age at commitment and, to a lesser extent, institutional misconduct behavior weighed most heavily in decisions to invoke the adult portion of the blended sentence.
TL;DR: Although an association has been established between sentencing recommendations made by probation officers and the actual sentences received by offenders, to date, few scholars have examined the relationship between sentence recommendations and actual sentences as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Although an association has been established between sentencing recommendations made by probation officers and the actual sentences received by offenders, to date, few scholars have examined the ro...
TL;DR: In this paper, the effects of geographic isolation and local police presence on the processing of 239 sexual assault cases reported to the Alaska State Troopers were investigated and the authors found that geographic isolation facilitates case processing in that sexual assaults from isolated locations are actually more likely to be referred for prosecution.
Abstract: This article considers the effects of geographic isolation and local police presence on the processing of 239 sexual assault cases reported to the Alaska State Troopers. Geographic isolation is hypothesized to hinder case processing due to its impact on the celerity and thoroughness of investigations, whereas the presence of local police is hypothesized to facilitate case processing by legitimizing reported offenses and assisting with evidence collection. Controlling for a host of important legal and “extra legal” case characteristics, the authors find that geographic isolation and local police presence did significantly influence case processing. However, contrary to expectations, geographic isolation facilitates case processing in that sexual assault cases from isolated locations are actually more likely to be referred for prosecution. As expected, local police presence facilitates case processing by enhancing the likelihood that referred cases would be accepted for prosecution. Implications for rural policing are discussed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the impact of local implementation of sanctions and compared to an idealized state model in 93 counties in North Carolina, finding that political factors had the greatest effect on policy implementation.
Abstract: Graduated sanctions are a key feature of state juvenile justice policy. Federal funding is contingent on state adoption of graduated sanctions for juvenile offenders. Despite widespread utilization, limited information exists regarding the implementation or effects of graduated sanctions for juveniles. Nationally, approximately 90% of delinquent youth are supervised in local communities, so a system of graduated sanctions depends on local efforts to develop and sustain a continuum of sanctions and services. North Carolina is one of many states that enacted juvenile justice reforms based on a graduated sanctions model. Using data from 93 counties, the local implementation of sanctions was examined and compared to an idealized state model. Factors affecting policy implementation were identified. Most counties did not have full implementation of sanctions continuum. Counties with fewer financial resources showed lower implementation levels, but regression analysis indicated that political factors had the greatest effect on policy implementation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors seek to develop an understanding of the dy dyads of gun violence in many metropolitan cities in America, including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Abstract: Gun violence continues to be a major crime control problem in many metropolitan cities in America. To comprehend this problem more completely, this study seeks to develop an understanding of the dy...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the characteristics and outcomes of 193 cases in which plaintiffs were seeking the return of assets and examined the predictors of success for plaintiffs in these cases, finding that most assets were seized through criminal proceedings and involved cash forfeitures.
Abstract: This article examines the results of research that analyzed asset forfeiture litigation from the U.S. Court of Appeals. More specifically, the research focused on the characteristics and outcomes of 193 cases in which plaintiffs were seeking the return of assets. The research also examined the predictors of success for plaintiffs in these cases. Among the findings, we found that most assets were seized through criminal proceedings and involved cash forfeitures. When forfeiture proceedings began, however, 94% were carried out using the civil process. Plaintiffs lost most of the cases, but several variables significantly increased or decreased the likelihood of winning. When the plaintiff was a corporation, and when the case originated through the criminal asset forfeiture proceeding, the likelihood of the plaintiff prevailing increased. However, gender (specifically, being male), third-party involvement, and cash forfeitures reduced the likelihood of the plaintiff ’s winning. This article discusses the imp...
TL;DR: In this article, the impact of local political structures on variations in violent crime rates in U.S. cities has been investigated and negative binomial fixed-effects panel analyses indicate that local government structures make only a limited contribution to variation in crime and that impact on violent crime is a conditioned effect in association with a relative deprivation index.
Abstract: To date, few criminological studies have explored the patterned ways in which local political structures might affect crime. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of local political structures on variations in violent crime rates in U.S. cities. A longitudinal data set collected from the same 280 cities in 1993, 1996, 2000, and 2003 is used to look into this question. Results from negative binomial fixed-effects panel analyses indicate that local government structures make only a limited contribution to variation in violent crime and that impact on violent crime is a conditioned effect in association with a relative deprivation index. Socioeconomic variables associated with relative deprivation consistently predict violent crime levels across U.S. cities, largely irrespective of the character of their local political structures.
TL;DR: The New Jim Crow as mentioned in this paper proposes that the racial caste system so blatant in the age of Jim Crow continues to exist in the United States, though in muted form, and argues that racialized social control is now veiled as crime policy.
Abstract: A daunting challenge for crime policy in the United States is presented by Michelle Alexander in The New Jim Crow. In this provocative work, Alexander proposes that the racial caste system so blatant in the age of Jim Crow continues to exist in the United States, though in muted form. As our formal, societal rhetoric of “colorblindness” cannot tolerate the overt racism of Jim Crow, racialized social control is now veiled as crime policy: