Criminal Justice Research Research Articles

Elucidating Empirical Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice in Nigeria

The crime situation in Nigeria and indeed other parts of the world continue to be monstrous despite the efforts of the criminal justice system. The foundation of overcoming this challenge may be found in the adherence to well articulated empirical research/studies aimed at understanding and providing solutions to the ramifications of crime problems in Nigeria. Therefore, there is the urgent need to examine and highlight the methods of research in criminology and criminal justice. This is a theoretical paper which relied on secondary sources, observations and desk reviews to collect data. The data collected were analyzed using relevant thematic schemes. Relevant themes like types of research, research ethics data collection, qualitative and qualitative research and actual research process were examined. It was recommended that adherence to empirical research rather than media reports is the pathway to solving the crime problem in Nigeria.

Corrigendum on Data Science Approaches in Criminal Justice and Public Health Research: Lessons Learned From Opioid Projects

Corrigendum on Data Science Approaches in Criminal Justice and Public Health Research: Lessons Learned From Opioid Projects

Using Social Media to Recruit Participants for Scholarly Research: Lessons from African Female Immigrants in the United States

Social scientists are increasingly using social media to conduct research and to recruit subjects for research studies. Prior research seems to suggest that using social media is particularly helpful when it comes to recruiting participants from hard-to-reach populations such as immigrants. In this study, we examine how social media platforms (i.e., Facebook and WhatsApp) were used to recruit participants for a study, which examined Kenyan immigrants’ perceptions of the police. Within the context of criminal justice research, the inclusion of African immigrants in research is important as their experiences and perceptions of justice get muted when compared to the experiences of blacks in general. We found that when conducting research among this group of immigrants, social media was instrumental in facilitating the recruitment of participants. Moreover, we discovered that building rapport with the participants and clearly articulating the objectives of the study was important. Implications for research are discussed.

‘My best day will be my last day!’: appreciating appreciative inquiry in police research

ABSTRACT Appreciative Inquiry is a methodology originating from organisational psychology, though it has since been used in criminal justice research including police studies. It is used to identify the actual and potential strengths of an individual or an institution, with a view to building on these strengths in the future. The primary purpose of this paper is to assess the value of Appreciative Inquiry for police research, where its use is potentially confounded by aspects of police culture. Drawing on an ESRC-funded study, the ‘good’ police custody study, we critically examine the role of Appreciative Inquiry in enabling access and data collection through appreciatively-informed interviews, examining this from the perspective of the police, the policed and police researchers. We also illustrate how Appreciative Inquiry contributed to the theorisation process and to the development of theoretically-informed recommendations and organisational reforms, matters that are neglected in other police and criminal justice research. We conclude that certain aspects of police culture hinder its use, for example, the cynicism of frontline police officers, whilst the storytelling features of police culture and growing collaboration between police and researchers help overcome these barriers. Appreciative Inquiry must still be used reflexively in police research, recognising for example the tendency towards naïve optimism and its impacts on vulnerable participants. Nonetheless, in light of Appreciative Inquiry dovetailing with growing expectations that the police and academics should work more closely together, there are grounds for appreciating Appreciative Inquiry as an important part of a diverse police research agenda in the future.

Advancing Applied Research in Conservation Criminology Through the Evaluation of Corruption Prevention, Enhancing Compliance, and Reducing Recidivism

Concomitant with an increase in the global illegal wildlife trade has been a substantial increase in research within traditional conservation-based sciences and conservation and green criminology. While the integration of criminological theories and methods into the wildlife conservation context has advanced our understanding of and practical responses to illegal wildlife trade, there remain discrepancies between the number of empirical vs. conceptual studies and a disproportionate focus on a few select theories, geographical contexts, and taxonomic groups. We present three understudied or novel applications of criminology and criminal justice research within the fields of fisheries, forestry, and wildlife conservation. First, we highlight criminological research on the application of corruption prevention in combating the illegal wildlife trade. Corruption has increasingly been getting attention from the non-governmental sector; however, there has been limited research aimed at understanding institutional opportunity structures, local conceptualizations of corruption, and the corresponding prevention strategies within conservation contexts. Second, we discuss the pre-emptive application of compliance theories when designing and monitoring Community-Based Conservation (CBC) programs such as community forestry, non-timber forest products, and community patrol programs. Applying opportunity theory and social development strategies are two suggestions to improve the effectiveness of CBCs in forestry and beyond. Finally, we present a discussion on recidivism (i.e., repeat offending) and non-instrumental or novel responses, utilizing illegal fishing as a case study. We present two alternative methods to traditional forms of punishment: restorative justice and community-based approaches. Lastly, we will present a diversity of priority research agendas within each of these topics.

A Time Series Analysis of the Trend of Crime Against Property in Oke-Ogun Region of Oyo State, Nigeria

Temporal variation in spatial crime occurrence has been a topical issue in environmental criminology and criminal justice research, especially in the area of generating early warning systems for preparedness against crime. However, the concentration of research effort on urban crime pattern with unjustified neglect of regional crime impedes the search for analytical explanations and effective strategies to eradicate crime. Hence, this study examined fluctuant pattern of property crime in Oke-Ogun region of Oyo State, Nigeria. It also assessed direction and incidence speed of the crime in the area. This is with a view to understanding the influence of changes in time (year factor) and other factors (a faulty system of education, erosion of traditional values, porous border, and unemployment among others). over property crime occurrence in the region. Crime reports were collated from the Nigerian Police records on nine typologies of property crime from 2005 to 2012. The geo-analytical techniques employed to examine temporal variations in crime were exponential trend smoothing technique with a smoothing constant of 0.3 and the least-squares trend analytical technique. Regression and correlation coefficients represented by “b” and “r” respectively were used to determine the changing rate of the crimes over the period of year under investigation. Analysis showed that out of the nine crime types that were analysed, three crimes were found to exhibit a rising trend with the effluxion of year while six exhibited a declining trend. Aggregately, crime against property had downward sloping trend lines. The negative values associated with (b = – 93.04, r = – 0.62) property crime confirmed the negative lapse rates and inverse relationships. The coefficient of determination (r2) in this case is 0.3969. However, the study concluded that 39.69% of variations in the level of property crime were influenced by changes in year and 60.31% was explained by other factors which included a faulty system of education, erosion of traditional values, porous border, and unemployment among others.

Introduction: Critical Criminology for the 21st Century

Introduction: Critical Criminology for the 21st Century

Confronting Oppression: Reframing Need and Advancing Responsivity for LGBTQ+ Youth and Young Adults

Research in juvenile and criminal justice concerning how to assess and target interventions to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults is insufficient. With the proliferation of the Risk-Need-Responsivity Model (RNR), risk/need assessment tools have become evidence-based practice providing guidance to determining risk, identifying need, and the importance of targeting interventions to advance prosocial behavior. Critics have noted that during implementation of the RNR Model, the focus is too often on the risk principle at the expense of the need and responsivity principles. This study provides evidence from an intensive case study, and process evaluation of the Lambert House: LGBTQ+ Youth Community Center, that responsivity needs to be prominent when serving LGBTQ+ youth and young adults. Based on an analysis of 60 semi-structured interviews with program participants, staff, and community advocates, we argue that risk/need assessment tools driven by the RNR model be inclusive and responsive to LGBTQ+ youth and young adults.

Biometric statehood, transnational solutionism and security devices: The performative dimensions of the IOM’s MIDAS

This article contributes to border criminology and transnational criminal justice research into the role of transnational actors in shaping practices of global justice, punishment and control, as well as to the criminological analysis of penal technologies. I examine the performative effects of the Migration Information and Data Analysis System (MIDAS) developed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and I argue that these effects are multidimensional. For beneficiary states, the deployment of MIDAS constitutes a performance of sovereign territorial power, affirming membership in the international society of (biometrically capable) states. For the IOM, the development and deployment of MIDAS and carrying out training sessions operate as pedagogical interventions legitimizing the organization as a neutral, technical expert of migration management. Finally, MIDAS itself performatively acts upon its targets, constituting ‘the migrant’ as a governable, potentially risky subject and constituting ‘migration’ as a problem amenable to depoliticized techno-solutionist interventions.

Self-legitimacy among rangers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America: An empirical assessment

Rangers are an important element in managing protected and conserved areas (PCAs) around the world. Rangers are also key figures in the human dimension of conservation science practice and research. The majority of ranger-involved research has tended to center on their monitoring activities, including enforcement and security. To date, few empirical studies have examined frontline ranger perspectives and no study has examined rangers' self-legitimacy. Prior criminal justice research suggests that authorities' attitudes towards self-legitimacy is central in understanding how they perceive themselves and their occupation. The present study draws from the largest study conducted on rangers and includes survey responses from rangers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Based on 5536 survey responses, we investigated what factors influenced rangers' perceptions towards their self-legitimacy. We found that supervisory procedural justice, formal socialization, legal cynicism, danger, and distributive justice had a significant impact on rangers' self-legitimacy. Our findings have substantive practical implications for PCA management, including ranger recruitment, training, and retention, as well as conceptual insight on better understanding ranger morale and attitudes towards their own occupational identity. Moreover, our study points to the value of interdisciplinary conservation science research and the utility of having more direct engagement with the social sciences, including the field of criminal justice.

Father Involvement in the First Year After Prison: Considerations for Social Work

Purpose: Paternal incarceration poses significant concerns for fathers and their children. Despite the known negative consequences, little is understood about father involvement after prison. This study aims to further understanding of fatherhood following incarceration to inform future intervention strategies. Method: Using data from the Urban Institute’s Returning Home: Understanding the Challenges of Prisoner Reentry Study ( N = 326), we conduct bivariate and multivariate analyses to examine three dimensions of father involvement and predictors of involvement at two time points after prison. Results: Findings reveal generally high levels of father involvement in the first year following incarceration. Father-child contact during prison and increased work hours after prison showed positive effects on early father involvement, while post-prison engagement and contact following release were associated with later involvement. Conclusions: Promoting father-child contact and positive relationships during incarceration may be important for future father involvement after release. Potential social work and criminal justice practice and research opportunities are discussed.

Key Finding: Result of a Qualitative Study of Judicial Perspectives on the Sentencing of Minor Drug Offenders in Indonesia: Structural Inequality

Although there have been a number of recent developments in criminal justice research on the topic of structural inequality sentencing, much work is needed to explore the judicial perspective. Researchers use this paper illustrates how a recent study used qualitative semi-structure interviews to study current judicial perspectives on sentencing of minor drug offenders in Indonesia. This paper reports a recent study of judicial perspectives when sentencing minor drug offenders in Indonesia. Firstly, it reviews existing sentencing option and recent development that motivated me to explore the issues of justice among Indonesian Judges. Secondly, it reports the procedures and method used in the recent study. Thirdly, it reports the appropriateness of the methodology chosen, and how it may influence the finding of the study. Finally, it reports the judicial perception on structural inequality.

“The teeth which are together are the ones which bite the most”: Sensemaking, interpersonal ranger relations, and organisational identification in Ugandan protected areas

ABSTRACT While wildlife law enforcement has received considerable research interest in recent years, little attention has been given to interpersonal relationships between junior rangers and their supervisors in protected areas. Based on 89 semi-structured interviews with rangers in Uganda, the present study explores interpersonal relations between juniors and their supervisors, and the impact this dynamic has on sensemaking and organisational identification. Findings suggest that study participants considered communication, mentorship, relatability, and accessibility to be important factors in supporting positive supervisor-junior relations. Factors that hindered relations, included organisational structure and chain of command, operational requirements and decentralised geography of responsibility, inequity, lack of trust, respect, and credibility, as well as retaliation. These factors shape rangers’ sensemaking and the development of their organisational identity. This study has implications for the expansion of criminal justice research on non-traditional, rural forms of enforcement, while also contributing to better understanding the human dimensions of conservation science.

Texas sheriffs’ perceptions on firearm regulations and mass shootings

Criminal justice research often focuses exclusively on municipal police departments. Sheriffs’ departments are largely ignored in this research despite this population’s reach and role. There are nearly 3,000 sheriffs’ offices around the United States and they often serve as the only law enforcement body in rural areas. This study sought to address the scarcity of this research and focused on Texas sheriffs’ views regarding firearm regulations and the causes of mass shootings. An 18-question instrument created in consult with the Texas Narcotic Officers Association was sent to each sheriff in the 254 counties of Texas to assess their perceptions regarding solutions to mass shootings, disqualification criteria for gun ownership, and civilian access to certain types of firearms and ammunition. Responding sheriffs, as a whole, were reluctant to limit access to guns and ammunition as a general matter, but strongly agreed that certain discrete populations should have limited or no access to firearms. Policy implications are discussed.

Data Science Approaches in Criminal Justice and Public Health Research: Lessons Learned From Opioid Projects

The persistence of the nation’s opioid epidemic has called on criminal justice and public health agencies to collaborate more than ever. This epidemiological criminology framework highlights the surveillance of public health and safety, often using data science approaches, to inform best practices. The purpose of our article is to delineate the main benefits and challenges of adopting data science approaches for epidemiological criminology partnerships, research, and policy. We offer “lessons learned” from our opioid research in Delaware and Florida to advise future researchers, especially those working closely with policymakers and practitioners in translating science into impactful best practices. We begin with a description of our projects, pivot to the challenges we have faced in contributing to science and policy, and close with recommendations for future research, public advocacy, and practice.

Reentry and the American Dream: People returning to the community share the same dream but lack the same access

Criminal justice researchers and professionals often define successful reentry using one measure: recidivism. However, current recidivism rates suggest something might be missing from this limited definition of successful reentry. Additionally, research reveals that reintegration is a reflexive process between the individual and the community. To fully understand the various perspectives regarding reentry, and the potential pitfalls, this study used semi-structured interviews and a survey experiment derived from the interviews. Qualitative analysis reveals that people reintegrating into the community have the same goals as everyone else: they aspire to own a house, have a family, enjoy their job, and feel like productive members of society. However, the quantitative results suggest that people in the community view certain aspects of success as less important for people who have been incarcerated. Because successful reintegration in the community lowers recidivism and improves public safety, a variety of policy implications are discussed.

Challenges in Implementing Restorative Justice with Older Adults: Institutional Gatekeepers and Social Barriers

Abstract Despite the consensus regarding the importance of restorative justice (RJ) as an alternative to the criminal justice system, some professionals and researchers have pointed out the challenges involved in its implementation with older adults who have been victimised. The aim of the present study was to explore the primary obstructions to implementing RJ intervention with older adults who have been victimised, as perceived by RJ facilitators, using the conceptual framework of social constructivism. An interpretive phenomenological analysis perspective was used to analyse the narratives of seven RJ facilitators, all of them highly experienced social workers. The narratives revealed three themes: the interpersonal and familial arena—the older person and his/her family as gatekeepers; the institutional arena—judicial and medical system personnel as gatekeepers; and the professional arena—RJ facilitators as gatekeepers. The findings suggest that some individuals and institutions maintain the conservative agenda of gatekeeping older adults to prevent them from encountering any danger. These findings indicate that, in keeping with the social work code of ethics, social workers need to consider older adults’ right to self-determination in RJ contexts.

Process, Power, and Impact of the Institutional Review Board in Criminology and Criminal Justice Research.

While research on Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) has been conducted on issues ranging from quality, process, and effectiveness, gaps remain. Social science researchers have raised issues regarding decisions by IRBs applied to the social sciences based on biomedical research. To date, little is known about the experience of social scientists in criminology and criminal justice with IRBs and this research seeks to fill this gap. An online survey, including open- and closed-ended questions drawn from the validated IRB-Researcher Assessment Tool, was administered to members of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and the American Society of Criminology about their experiences with IRBs. Results revealed that researchers report experiencing challenges with their IRBs including timeline delays of their research, bias against their research, and decisions that protect legal liability rather than human subjects ethics. Recommendations for improving IRB reviews of protocols and challenges unique to criminology and criminal justice are discussed.

Criminal Justice and Community Psychology: Our Values and Our Work-The Introduction to the Special Issue.

This special issue of The American Journal of Community Psychology originated from the Society for Community Research and Action Criminal Justice interest group, with a goal of exploring the work of community psychologists intersecting with criminal justice research, practice, and policy and shaped by our shared values-equity, collaboration, creative maladjustment, social justice, and social science in the service of social justice. In this introduction, we discuss the socio-historical context of the special issue, followed by an outline of the special issue organization, and brief summary of the included papers. Across 13 papers and an invited commentary, we see the ways in which community psychologists are: (1) delivering and evaluating services, programming, or other supports to address the needs of system-involved people; and (2) working to improve the systems, structures, and interactions with units of criminal justice systems. Across these two sections, authors highlight the guiding role of our values to influence change within and outside of criminal-legal systems.

Changing the Face of Police Lineups: Delivering More Information From Witnesses

Police lineups are widely used despite evidence that eyewitnesses frequently err by failing to identify the culprit or mistakenly identifying innocent suspects or lineup fillers. We examine how police investigators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges interpret the information witnesses provide when confronted with a traditional lineup and describe one alternative procedure that departs significantly from current practice. This alternative abandons the categorical witness decision, replacing it with confidence judgments about each lineup member’s match to memory for the culprit. Compared with the traditional lineup, this approach provides more nuanced information about suspect guilt. We challenge criminal justice researchers and professionals to examine the potential informational gains this approach offers—and to explore other genuine alternatives—rather than merely tinkering with the existing approach. Finally, we emphasize that a truly collaborative engagement with justice system professionals will be more productive than researchers being the sole arbiters of model practices.