Criminal Justice Research Research Articles

Perceptions of Anti-Black Bias in the Criminal Justice System Contribute to Pro-Black (Versus White) Bias in Criminal Justice Research

Black Americans experience more frequent guilty verdicts and harsher sentences in the criminal justice system. However, recent laboratory work often finds either trivial differences or a pro-Black bias where people provide more lenient verdicts for Black versus White defendants. Across five studies, we find a consistent pro-Black bias even after reducing social desirability concerns. Instead, the pro-Black bias results from a negative relationship between perceived anti-Black criminal justice bias and the Black suspect’s verdict. The current work shows the pro-Black bias as a consequence of the newly salient perception of racial bias in the criminal justice system. Consequently, as people’s perceptions of racial disparities in the criminal justice system increase, this in-lab effect may manifest in real-world criminal justice outcomes.

Global Criminology and Criminal Justice Research: A Bibliometric Analysis of Emerging Themes and Gaps

This study examines how organizational factors enhance operational efficiency in criminology and criminal justice through a systematic review of 99 research papers from 2015 to 2024. The primary aim is to identify critical success factors (CSFs) that influence operational effectiveness, distinguishing between internal factors such as personnel development and leadership, and external factors like community expectations and sustainability. Utilizing a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of 408 articles, the research maps co-occurrence networks to reveal thematic clusters and gaps in the literature. Findings indicate that strategic organizational practices, including effective leadership and collaboration, are vital for improving efficiency, fostering innovation, and responding to community needs. This research provides valuable insights for practitioners and scholars alike, underscoring the importance of these factors in optimizing operations and serving as a foundation for future studies on their impact within the field of criminology and criminal justice.

Advancing knowledge about criminal justice and mental health

Advancing knowledge about criminal justice and mental health Researchers with expertise in criminal law, philosophy, psychiatry and psychology are combining their knowledge to explore how mental disorders are approached within criminal law and contribute to better legal and forensic practices. Current criminal justice systems are based on the premise that human beings are responsible agents that can be held accountable for their actions. However, most criminal justice systems have legal doctrines recognising that there are exceptions when an individual should not be considered criminally accountable. A ubiquitous practice is that children under the minimum age of criminal responsibility are not subject to punishment. Similarly, most countries limit criminal responsibility for offenders with mental disorders and disabilities. However, the question of who should be held criminally accountable and who should not is highly controversial, and a subject of debate. The same applies to what role psychological and psychiatric experts should have in criminal proceedings.

Gaining Insight: Data Needs for Firearm Injury Prevention Researchers

ABSTRACTBetween 1996 and 2018, there was little federally funded research on gun violence, even though it remains a perennial issue, resulting in considerable loss of life. Advocacy and academic groups piece together data to conduct their research, but the U.S. firearms data infrastructure is limited. A current National Institute of Health (NIH)‐funded coordinating center led by researchers at the University of Michigan aims to help confront that problem. This Quality Improvement (QI) study seeks to uncover the information needs of researchers in firearm injury prevention and community‐based interventions through interviews with public health, medical, and criminal justice researchers. Interviews reveal problems associated with existing databases and infrastructures, as well as what researchers need to support their research. We find fragmented data resources and a lag in public health data availability create obstacles to obtaining many datasets. The researchers also describe problems and opportunities for data harmonization across intervention‐focused studies.

Then a miracle occurs: cause, effect, and the heterogeneity of criminal justice research

Then a miracle occurs: cause, effect, and the heterogeneity of criminal justice research

Diversion or death? The moral framework shaping bifurcated punishments for drug offences in Indonesia

Background As the UN urges states to move from harsh punishments for drug offences towards treatment programmes, Indonesia has adopted a bifurcated penal policy. Most of those convicted are sentenced to imprisonment or death, but some ‘minor’ offenders are diverted to drug treatment centres. We explore the moralities that shape drug policy, justice professionals’ interpretation and application of laws and policies, and judgements about who is deserving of diversion. Methods We draw on experiences and perceptions of 136 Indonesian criminal justice professionals, through in-depth qualitative interviewing and focus groups, to reveal the moral landscapes shaping policy and practice. Results Justice narratives blur penal concerns with moral judgments about drug offending, with normative responses shaping punishments in law and practice. While there is some compassion for ‘minor’ drug offenders, driving rationales for diversion, drug traffickers are regarded as morally deserving of prison and capital punishment, with traditionalist perceptions of harm amplified by a purgative rationale. Conclusion This article highlights the analytical potential of moralities such as ‘compassion’ and ‘traditionalism’ in criminal justice research and policy in Southeast Asia. Understanding the formation and navigation of these normative values may assist in challenging harsh penal policy in Indonesia and the wider region.

Then a miracle occurs: cause, effect, and the heterogeneity of criminal justice research

Then a miracle occurs: cause, effect, and the heterogeneity of criminal justice research

Open-Source Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Open-Source Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Crime and Nourishment: A Narrative Review Examining Ultra-Processed Foods, Brain, and Behavior

Recently, there has been increased scientific and clinical interest in the potential harms associated with ultra-processed foods, including poor mental health, aggression, and antisocial behavior. Research spanning epidemiology, mechanistic pre-clinical work, addiction science, microbiome and exposome science, and human intervention trials has underscored that nutrition is of relevance along the criminal justice continuum. As such, the emerging dietetics research is salient to the thousands of international psychologists and allied mental health professionals that are engaged in justice work, including forensics, prevention, and intervention. In addition, relationships between nutrition and behavior relate to “food crime”, an emergent area unifying criminal justice researchers with psychology, public health, and other interdisciplinary sectors. Food crime scrutinizes the vast harms, including non-communicable diseases and adverse behavioral outcomes, as influenced by the distribution of addictive ultra-processed food products. Here, we examine the emergent research, including biophysiological mechanisms, and evidence indicating that dietary patterns/components intersect with psychosocial vulnerabilities linked with risks of antisocial behavior and justice involvement. Viewed through a prevention lens, the study of nutrition and aggressive behavior should be prioritized, especially if the outcomes emerge as externalities of the global consumption of ultra-processed food. In the context of criminal justice and behavior, there is a need for forensic examination of how industry influence and power structures can undermine matters of food justice.

Historical criminology and colonialism

Historical criminology, developing over the last few decades as a defined field of inquiry, has had a recent renaissance, resulting in the publication of leading texts, edited collections and scholarship, setting agendas for its methodologies and impact. We discuss the epistemological and methodological focus of this body of literature, which has been primarily centred on class-based historical criminal justice studies of Britain and the United States. We show that there has long been a parallel development of historical criminology and criminal justice research on colonialism, racial justice and state harm. Drawing upon anti-colonial and anti-criminological research, we challenge current approaches to historical criminology’s epistemological orientations to widen its vision for research, method, ethics and impact, and we highlight the risks of not doing so. This article makes a case for why research and theories of colonialism must be analytical pillars of ‘historical criminology’ and sets out possibilities for future approaches that can push historical criminology in productive directions. Most importantly, we stress the problems for future researchers of analyses that reproduce the structural harms already rampant in criminology.

Risk and protective factors for early dropout from telephone monitoring for individuals with drug convictions in community mental health centers in Japan

IntroductionIndividuals involved with the criminal justice system face challenges in receiving and maintaining substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and support. Although telephone monitoring (TM) could reduce these barriers, data on TM for community-dwelling individuals involved with the criminal justice system and research on individuals who drop out of TM are scarce. We examined the factors associated with dropping out early from the Voice Bridges Project, which provides TM for individuals on probation for drug-related convictions through community mental health centers in Japan. MethodsParticipants (n = 546) were individuals aged ≥20 years with methamphetamine-related convictions who were on probation. Univariate analyses examine the associations between one-year follow-up status and baseline variables, and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses identify the risk and protective factors associated with dropping out. Stratified analyses report results based on sex and halfway-house residency. ResultsThe one-year dropout rate was 43.6 % (n = 238). Multivariate analysis identified two risk factors for dropping out—halfway-house residency and suicide attempts in the past year, and two protective factors—higher education and the current use of SUD services. Sex-stratified analyses showed that halfway-house residency was a risk factor for both men and women. Attempted suicide was a risk factor for women. Conversely, higher education and current use of SUD services were protective factors for men. ConclusionsOur results identify unique risk factors for women, such as a recent history of suicide attempts, and distinctive protective factors for men, including higher education and current use of SUD services, emphasizing the importance of sex-specific approaches. Furthermore, the study reveals that irrespective of sex, vulnerable individuals, such as halfway-house residents, are at a higher risk of dropping out from TM.

Criminology and Criminal Justice Researchers’ Experiences and Challenges with Institutional Review Boards

Criminology and Criminal Justice Researchers’ Experiences and Challenges with Institutional Review Boards

Criminal justice, representation and the lived experience scholar

This article examines the integration of lived experience narratives into criminal justice, highlighting a significant shift towards a more inclusive and experiential approach within the field. We explore the contributions of scholars with lived experiences of the criminal legal system (CLS) to the academic and advocacy landscape, emphasising the emergence of convict criminology and lived experience criminology. These subdisciplines centre on the insights of those directly impacted by the CLS, offering a critical view from within and a broader perspective on personal interactions with the system. We argue that incorporating lived experiences can enrich criminal justice research and practice, leading to more effective, empathetic policies and interventions. However, we also identify a gap in the literature concerning the representational dynamics within this emergent paradigm, specifically the sociodemographic constitution of lived experience contributors. Utilising Hanna Pitkin's seminal theories on political representation, we critically evaluate the extent to which lived experience narratives embody both symbolic and substantive representation. We suggest that while individuals with lived experiences may not fully encapsulate the demographic diversity of those impacted by the CLS, their narratives provide crucial insights that transcend mere demographic congruence. We conclude that more needs to be done to encourage and value diverse voices within this space, highlighting the need for criminal justice to address power dynamics, bridge the gap between academic and experiential knowledge, and promote public engagement and discourse. This engagement with lived experiences is posited as essential for driving meaningful policy and systemic reform, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and just CLS.

“They Need to Go in There”: Criminalized Subjectivity among Formerly Incarcerated Black Men

Black people are overrepresented in the American criminal justice system, yet policy-based criminal justice research has historically ignored the perspectives of criminalized Black people. Using interviews with 27 formerly incarcerated Black men, the author helps address this issue by exploring how carceral experiences produce “criminalized subjectivities.” In particular, when explicitly asked about what they would say to powerful state officials about their contact with the criminal justice system, the Black men in this study described a range of practices and policies they viewed as unfair and contradictory. Interviewees discussed: unequal judicial processes, inhumane prison conditions, postimprisonment barriers to reintegration, and the rigged nature of racialized mass criminalization. The author argues that, taken together, their responses constitute a critical perspective urging structural (rather than individual-level) change, rooted in experiences with invisibilization and criminalization.

On (Measuring) Recidivism, Penal Populism and the Future of Recidivism Research

It is common criminological knowledge that recidivism – relapse into criminal behaviour – is a major predictor of future criminal behaviour, one could say a ‘hard-core’ criminogenic factor, esp. when displayed at a young age. Yet, despite its prominence and importance in both criminology and the discipline and practice of criminal law, there is an ongoing confusion about the concept and social construction of recidivism, its basic terminology, approaches to its measurement (methodology), and finally about the best ways to deal with it. In the paper at hand, we aim to unravel at least some of the grand mysteries surrounding recidivism and its research, targeting particularly domestic criminal justice professionals and researchers, since we have found a certain lack of relevant and up-to-date Croatian publications on this topic. Instead of simply presenting or arguing for any of the competing perspectives, such as the criminological, normative or penological, or a more practical instead of a scientific perspective (to name but a few), we critically analyse each of these perspectives, highlighting their pros and cons, while leaving it to the readers to choose any or all of them – depending on their own perspectives and purposes. Thus, key findings from recidivism research are discussed in the context of steadily growing penal populism, which is characterised by broadening the scope of criminalisation and increasing sentencing frameworks as well as harsher punishment practices, targeting in particular recidivists. All this occurs in the context of populist public and media discourse about crime and criminals, which effectively undermines any notion of evidence-based crime policy. But times are changing and the future of recidivism research, spearheaded by neuropenology, might very well provide us with a new kind of knowledge and understanding needed to put a check on penal populism.

Criminal justice interventions for preventing radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism: An evidence and gap map.

Criminal justice agencies are well positioned to help prevent the radicalisation of individuals and groups, stop those radicalised from engaging in violence, and reduce the likelihood of terrorist attacks. This Evidence and Gap Map (EGM) presents the existing evidence and gaps in the evaluation research. To identify the existing evidence that considers the effectiveness of criminal justice interventions in preventing radicalisation, violent extremism and terrorism. We conducted a comprehensive search of the academic and grey literature to locate relevant studies for the EGM. Our search locations included the Global Policing Database (GPD), eight electronic platforms encompassing over 20 academic databases, five trial registries and over 30 government and non-government websites. The systematic search was carried out between 8 June 2022 and 1 August 2022. We captured criminal justice interventions published between January 2002 and December 2021 that aimed to prevent radicalisation, violent extremism, and/or terrorism. Criminal justice agencies were broadly defined to include police, courts, and corrections (both custodial and community). Eligible populations included criminal justice practitioners, places, communities or family members, victims, or individuals/groups who are radicalised or at risk of becoming radicalised. Our map includes systematic reviews, randomised controlled trials, and strong quasi-experimental studies. We placed no limits on study outcomes, language, or geographic location. Our screening approach differed slightly for the different sources, but all documents were assessed in the systematic review software program DistillerSR on the same final eligibility criteria. Once included, we extracted information from studies using a standardised form that allowed us to collect key data for our EGM. Eligible systematic reviews were assessed for risk of bias using the AMSTAR 2 critical appraisal tool. The systematic search identified 63,763 unique records. After screening, there were 70 studies eligible for the EGM (from 71 documents), of which two were systematic reviews (assessed as moderate quality), 16 were randomised controlled trials, and 52 were strong quasi-experimental studies. The majority of studies (n = 58) reported on policing interventions. Limited evidence was found related to courts or corrections interventions. The impact of these interventions was measured by a wide variety of outcomes (n = 50). These measures were thematically grouped under nine broad categories including (1) terrorism, (2) extremism or radicalisation, (3) non-terror related crime and recidivism, (4) citizen perceptions/intentions toward the criminal justice system and government, (5) psychosocial, (6) criminal justice practitioner behaviours/attitudes/beliefs, (7) racially targeted criminal justice practices, (8) investigation efficacy, and (9) organisational factors. The most commonly assessed outcomes included measures of terrorism, investigation efficacy, and organisational factors. Very limited research assessed intervention effectiveness against measures of extremism and/or radicalisation. Conducting high-quality evaluation research on rare and hidden problems presents a challenge for criminal justice research. The map reveals a number of significant gaps in studies evaluating criminal justice responses to terrorism and radicalisation. We conclude that future research should focus attention on studies that consolidate sound measurement of terrorism-related outcomes to better capture the potential benefits and harms of counter-terrorism programs, policies and practices which involve criminal justice agencies.

Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences as a Potential CURE-All for Applied Research Training and Real-World Knowledge Acquisition

Calls have been made for higher education to offer students hands-on and experiential learning opportunities. This paper explores the development and implementation of an advanced undergraduate research methods course offered in fall 2020 and 2022. After initially conducting research on its first offering in 2020, the instructor navigated changes based on self-reflective, student, and community partner feedback. Students, agency partners, and the instructor-of-record participated in mid and end-of-semester evaluations, focus groups, interviews, and follow-up surveys during both iterations of the course with new data offering insights into course perceptions, pitfalls, and impact. Findings suggested that students had generally positive experiences in the class. The course’s applicability and relevance additionally contributed to increased student engagement and motivation. While prior literature identifies the utility of experiential learning in gaining real-world research skills, the applied criminal justice research course additionally highlights motivation and investment as defining characteristics.

Integration of individuals with lived experience to improve recruitment within criminal justice research: ‘experience as the best teacher’

ABSTRACT Research has documented numerous barriers to recruitment of marginalized individuals, including historic exploitation, distrust, and accessibility. Such challenges are commonly observed among racial minorities, unhoused individuals, and individuals with lower socioeconomic statuses. Public health researchers have led investigations on ways to engage hard-to-reach populations, but the nuances of recruiting such individuals within criminal justice research remain less explored – a crucial oversight given the prevalence of these populations within the criminal legal system. While literature has identified barriers unique to these distinct identities, it has not fully explored how intersectional identities may complicate these barriers. To bridge these critical gaps, the current paper addresses the challenges of recruiting individuals with multiple identities within the same study. We discuss how the proposed techniques for recruitment of these populations translate into criminal justice contexts, with particular attention to the ways individuals with lived experience enhance study design, recruitment, and overall integrity.

Failure

AbstractThe Vollmer Award: The award honoring August Vollmer was first made in 1959. It is meant to recognize outstanding contributions to justice as well as scholarship and professional activity. I am honored to be the 2022 awardee because so many of the previous winners are individuals whose careers and work I have great respect for.Focus of My Remarks: This essay focuses on many failures in criminal justice policy and research. Costly though they may be, failures have the potential to teach us a good deal and we ignore them at our own peril.

COVID-19, Diffuse Anxiety, and Public (Mis)Trust in Government: Empirical Insights and Implications for Crime and Justice

Given that trust in government is a critical feature of a well-functioning democracy, research into its determinants has long been a priority among public opinion scholars. The consensus in the literature is that short-term factors drive the ebbs and flows of public trust, and a climate of mistrust has significant consequences on the government's ability to deliver on policies and enforce the law. Despite decades of extensive research on public trust, changing circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic support the need to investigate the factors shaping trust in this distinct period. This article, using data from the American National Election Study, explores how economic, social, and political anxieties pervasive throughout the pandemic influence trust in the United States government. Findings from ordered logistic regression analyses indicate that public trust in government is associated with views of the government's COVID-19 response, beliefs about the state of the country and government corruption, economic anxieties, and concerns about election fraud and the status of American democracy. Findings also reveal that sentiments toward institutions—including the police and the Center for Disease Control—contribute to variability in public trust. The implications of these findings for criminal justice research and policy are also considered.