Justice Reform Research Articles

Film intervention increases empathic understanding of formerly incarcerated people and support for criminal justice reform

Nuanced portrayals of stigmatized groups in media have been shown to reduce prejudice. In an online experiment (N = 749), we tested whether a feature film depicting incarcerated peoples' experiences in the criminal justice system can increase a) empathic accuracy and compassion toward people who have been incarcerated and b) support for criminal justice reform. We measured baseline empathic accuracy via a well-validated task, where participants infer the emotions of people sharing stories about difficult life events. All storytellers were formerly incarcerated and students. However, in half the videos we labeled them as "formerly incarcerated" and in the remaining half as "college student." We then surveyed people's baseline attitudes toward criminal justice reform. Next, we assigned participants to watch one of three films. The intervention film chronicled the true stories of Black men on death row. Two docudramas of similar length served as control films. Finally, participants completed the empathic accuracy task and survey again and were given the opportunity to sign a petition. Compared to those who watched a control film, participants who watched the intervention film more accurately inferred the emotions of storytellers labeled "formerly incarcerated," and increased their support for criminal justice reform. These effects held for conservative and liberal participants alike. However, the film had no effect on feelings of compassion. Together, these results demonstrate the power of narrative interventions to not only increase empathic accuracy for members of a severely stigmatized group, but to increase support for reforms designed to improve their lives.

From neighbour to member: Assessing Moldova’s EU membership perspectives

This article examines Moldova’s prospective membership in the European Union (EU) in the wake of the EU’s renewed enlargement drive which was prompted by Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It explores the dynamics shaping Moldova’s accession path, spotlighting obstacles to integration that official reports appear to overlook or underplay. The article compares EU and Moldovan documents, civil society reports, and insights from interviews with Moldovan officials and civil society representatives to gain a nuanced picture of the evolving situation. Attention is also given to the distinct characteristics of the currently unfolding enlargement process, including its sense of urgency and geopolitical significance which have led to calls for an expedited or ‘fast-track’ accession. Findings note that despite Moldova’s impressive progress in aligning with EU standards in many areas, substantial hurdles in justice reform, combating corruption and de-oligarchisation persist. Incomplete public administration reforms, uneven civil society involvement in decision-making, and issues associated with the Transnistria conflict also have consequences for Moldova’s EU prospects, especially if an expedited version of enlargement occurs.

Restorative justice and social justice: an international perspective

ABSTRACT This article examines the relationships between restorative justice and social justice from a global viewpoint. Restorative justice, traditionally viewed as a transformative approach within criminal justice systems, is constructed as a catalyst for broader social justice reforms. Drawing on data from a series of online workshops, including participants from North America, Europe, and Africa, reflexive thematic analysis was used to generate perspectives on how restorative practices address social injustices. Findings highlight varied interpretations across different socio-political contexts, suggesting that although restorative justice may inherently hold transformative potential, its efficacy in fostering social justice is contingent on conscious integration of social justice considerations. This article contributes to the ongoing debate on the role of restorative justice in societal change, arguing that a nuanced application, which acknowledges the complexities of social injustices, can enhance impact beyond individual cases, and contribute meaningfully to the pursuit of social justice on a broader scale.

The Who, What, and How of Interagency Criminal Justice–Behavioral Health Teams: Developing and Sustaining Collaborations

Interagency teams are considered an evidence-based change practice, but there is a paucity of research examining them in criminal justice (CJ) and behavioral health (BH) reform contexts. This study draws on qualitative interviews ( n = 52) and survey data ( n = 791) from BH and CJ leaders across the United States to examine who is on them, what they do, and effective strategies for building and sustaining them. Findings indicated that CJ–BH interagency teams often incorporate agencies from a range of CJ, BH, social service, and health agencies. Teamwork focused on connecting clients to resources or contributing to CJ–BH coalitions and resource centers. Although the team-building strategies learning about/from other agencies and system integration were significantly associated with developing more collaborations, consensus-building activities were not. These findings suggest that interagency teams need not necessarily reach consensus on goals and vision prior to working together, as this can be built through collaboration.

Improving Treatment in Treatment Court: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis (QIMS) of the Drug Court Experience

Drug courts have played a key role in criminal justice reform, particularly in supporting substance use and mental health disorder recovery. Little is known, though, related to drug court participants’ views on the strengths of the program that support their recovery and what suggestions they have to improve programming. This qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis (QIMS) provides a behind-the-scenes perspective of drug court programming from the voices of participants (n = 183). Based on data extracted from a synthesis of nine qualitative studies, three new themes emerged related to the strengths of drug court that support recovery and suggestions to improve programming. The new themes are: (1) Improving treatment in treatment court; (2) The interplay between internal motivation for change and dignity and respect for all; and (3) Being future oriented: Developing a sustainable recovery support system. Implications for drug court practice, policy advocacy, and future research are discussed. Drug courts should revisit how clinical information is exchanged between treatment providers and the justice system, and potentially reduce this collaboration. Furthermore, recommendations are offered on how drug courts can support participants in developing internal motivation for recovery and in sustaining recovery post-drug court.

Gender Justice and Legal Reforms: A Review of Women's Rights Legislation in India

Gender Justice and Legal Reforms: A Review of Women's Rights Legislation in India

The examiner as a subject of a party to criminal proceedings by the prosecution

It is indicated that the process of modernization of the system of criminal justice bodies is underway in Ukraine, the purpose of which is to improve the system of public administration and improve mechanisms for protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens. In particular, the concept of criminal justice reform of Ukraine, approved by the Decree of the President of Ukraine dated 04/08/2008 No. 311/2008, was implemented in the aspect of updating criminal, criminal procedural and administrative tort legislation. As part of the humanization of criminal legislation, the following steps have been taken: felony crimes have been reclassified as criminal misdemeanors, the procedure for bringing to justice persons who have committed criminal misdemeanors has been simplified, and the work of criminal justice bodies has been optimized in the detection, investigation, and trial of cases. The scientific publication examines topical issues of the place and role of the investigator in criminal proceedings, including through a comparison of the procedural status of the investigator and the investigator. Taking into account the powers of the inquirer, defined by the law that introduces this institute, the burden on the specified subject of criminal proceedings is examined in comparison with the investigator on the example of a specific region, with statistical data on registered, completed and sent to court criminal proceedings. The norms of the current criminal procedural legislation are analyzed, which determine the authority of the inquirer in the process of carrying out a pre-trial investigation of criminal misdemeanors. The legal status of the inquirer as a subject of registration in the Unified Register of Pretrial Investigations is outlined, the imperfection of the introduced norms is noted due to the limitation of the procedural powers of the head of the inquiry in comparison with the head of the investigative unit, and the negative procedural consequences are indicated due to some legislative gaps that require amendments to the current Criminal Code of the procedural code of Ukraine. Based on the results of the research, conclusions and proposals regarding the improvement of national legislation were formulated, and the prospect of further research on this topic was determined.

Juvenile Justice Act: A Critical Assessment of Its Role in Supporting Vulnerable Youth

Juvenile Justice Act: A Critical Assessment of Its Role in Supporting Vulnerable Youth Ms. Amruta Arjun Chavan B.SL, LL.B, LL.M, PGDHR, PGCADR, SET, (Ph.D. in Law) Teaching Associate of Law, Maharashtra National Law University, Aurangabad Abstract One important piece of legislation designed to address the interests and rights of young people who are at risk within the legal system is the Juvenile Justice Act. In this research paper the efficacy of the Act in protecting, rehabilitating, and reintegrating young offenders is critically examined. The research outlines important strengths and opportunities for development by analyzing the Act’s provisions, implementation techniques, and results. The study emphasizes the need of a comprehensive strategy that strikes a balance between responsibility and the necessity of compassionate intervention, stressing the contribution of psychological, social, and educational support to good development. This paper intends to add to the current conversation on juvenile justice reform and the development of a more equitable and encouraging system for young people in legal trouble by evaluating the Act’s effects on vulnerable adolescents. This paper critically examines the Juvenile Justice Act and its efficacy in addressing the needs of vulnerable youth within the Indian criminal justice system. With a focus on the socio-legal framework established by the Act, this study explores the challenges and shortcomings in its implementation, particularly concerning marginalized groups. Also, various provisions of the Act, including the rehabilitation measures for juvenile offenders and the legal protections afforded to children in conflict with the law. Keywords: Juvenile Justice Act, Vulnerable Youth, Criminal Justice System, Rehabilitation, Juvenile Delinquency, Child Rights, Legal Framework, Mental Health, Social Justice, Child Protection. etc.

Criminal Justice Reform: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Restorative Justice Programs in Reducing Recidivism

Criminal Justice Reform: Evaluating the Effectiveness of Restorative Justice Programs in Reducing Recidivism

Maintaining fidelity to the treatment court model through evaluation: The racial and ethnic disparities (RED) program assessment tool

ABSTRACT Treatment courts have played a key role in criminal justice reform by offering an alternative to incarceration for individuals who have substance use and mental health disorders. The treatment court model requires programs to complete evaluations, as well as measure potential racial and ethnic disparities in outcomes. This study contributes to literature by using the Racial and Ethnic Disparities (RED) Program Assessment Tool to see if treatment courts (n = 151) have fidelity to the model by completing regular evaluation and to assess for racial and ethnic disparities in graduation rates. Treatment courts in this study, for the most part, were not faithful to the model by completing regular evaluation. Specifically, only 34% of the programs regularly examined graduation outcomes by race and ethnicity. Additionally, racial and ethnic disparities did exist where white participants were more likely than African American and Hispanic participants to graduate treatment court. Implications for policy advocacy, treatment court practice, and future research are discussed.

‘Do no harm’: mass supervision and the ruse of carceral humanism

Abstract In recent years, scholarship has chronicled the role of probation in the rise of mass incarceration and has concluded that community supervision is a trap that routinely punishes the poor under the threat of incarceration. Starting in 2010, under a reform-minded new commissioner, the New York City Department of Probation (DOP) sought to roll back probation’s punitive role. In sharp contrast to the tough-on crime approach of previous decades, the DOP adopted the motto ‘Do no harm, do more good, and do it in the community’, and became the first probation department in the nation to spearhead a local justice reinvestment project. Its signature initiative was the decentralization of probation into a series of store front offices known as the Neighbourhood Opportunity Network, which embedded the agency more deeply into poor and working-class communities of colour. Relying on ethnographic research with probation officers, systems involved youth of colour, and non-profit organizations in the South Bronx, this article examines the limits of carceral humanism as a growing trend in recent criminal justice reform efforts.

“Kids are Kids”: Benevolent Ignorance and the Omission of Race in Developmental Justice Reform

The criminal culpability of juvenile offenders remains a controversial and contested issue in the legal and public arenas in the United States. Since the mid-2000s, juvenile crime has been reframed by SCOTUS as a problem of brain immaturity. This article interrogates the omission of race from this new discourse of immaturity. First, I show that an alliance of learned societies, scholars, policy experts, legal professionals, and philanthropic foundations, which I call the new child savers, strategically sowed doubt about the criminological evidence of “high-risk” offenders to ensure the success of this new discourse of immaturity. I introduce the concept of benevolent ignorance to explain how they strategically concealed this inconvenient knowledge to achieve the socially valued goal of “saving children” from harsh sentences, and to escape public controversies over the racial overtones of risk assessment tools. Second, using Mills’ s concept of white ignorance, I argue that progressive elites and scholars involved in juvenile justice reform have historically ignored the lived experiences of juveniles of color. Finally, I discuss how the discourse of brain immaturity perpetuates and reinforces a colorblind explanation of juvenile crime that ignores the role of race in young people's encounters with the justice system.

Treiber, Hubert (2021). Die „rückwärtsgewandte Expertenreform“ – Eine verwaltungswissenschaftliche Studie zur Großen Strafrechtsreform der 1950er Jahre. Halle an der Saale: Universitätsverlag Halle-Wittenberg. 169 Seiten. ISBN: 978-3-86977-244-8.

The empirical study applies cluster analyses to records of the commission on criminal justice reform. By analysing discrepancies in the individual voting behaviour of the commission members, the study identifies distinct clusters which coincide with the commission members’ professional background: While the commission members with a scientific background hardly ever form a homogenous group, commission members who practice law e. g. as judges or who are public servants show a more consistent behaviour. This is attributed to the distinct role perceptions within the respective profession. Overall, the commission members represented mostly conservative values, leading to a criminal justice reform with strong reference to previous drafts. With this in mind, the book furthermore analyses rhetorical strategies used within the legal profession to obscure a person’s involvement in the Nazi-Regime.

Violence against Doctors – A Call for Justice and Systemic Reform

Violence against Doctors – A Call for Justice and Systemic Reform

Criminal Justice Reform: Examining Strategies for Reducing Mass Incarceration and Promoting Rehabilitation

The pressing issue of mass incarceration and explores strategies for criminal justice reform aimed at reducing incarceration rates and promoting rehabilitation. It highlights the social, economic, and human costs of mass incarceration and discusses the need for evidence-based policies and innovative approaches to address systemic issues within the criminal justice system. Mass incarceration has reached unprecedented levels in many countries, including the United States, where it has disproportionately impacted communities of color and contributed to cycles of poverty, inequality, and recidivism. The abstract discusses the various factors driving mass incarceration, such as mandatory minimum sentences, three-strikes laws, disparities in sentencing, and the war on drugs.

Beyond racial resentment: Systemic racism beliefs and public attitudes toward criminal justice institutions and reforms

AbstractIntroductionSystemic racism theory has become a central part of academic and public discussions about criminal justice institutions and reforms. Little, however, is known about the association between people's belief in the ubiquity of systemic racism and their attitudes toward criminal justice institutions and reforms.MethodsTo fill this gap, we examine the association between systemic racism beliefs and support for police, police reform, and the BLM movement using a national YouGov sample of 1125 U.S. adults.ResultsSystemic racism beliefs are associated with Americans’ attitudes toward all three outcomes, net of a wide range of controls, including negative experiences with police, political ideology, and most notably, racial resentment.ConclusionOur study provides compelling evidence that belief in systemic racism is an important driver of Americans’ support for police, police reforms, and BLM.

Assessing the Legal Framework and Socioeconomic Impacts of Compensation for Wrongfully Convicted and Imprisoned Persons in Bangladesh: Challenges and Policy Recommendations

This study delves into the social consequences of convictions in Bangladesh, underscoring the pressing call for thorough legislative and policy changes. It critically assesses the structure and its shortcomings in offering just compensation to those wrongfully convicted, as exemplified by prominent cases like Jahalam, Abdul Jalil, Javed Ali and Sheikh Zahid. Through a research methodology involving literature reviews, case studies, interviews and surveys, the study sheds light on the psychological and financial burdens exonerees and their loved ones face. Comparative analyses of compensation mechanisms in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia reveal best practices and underscore the gaps in Bangladesh's current system. Recommendations include enacting specific compensation legislation, establishing a dedicated compensation fund, enhancing procedural safeguards, and offering comprehensive post-exoneration support. By implementing these measures, Bangladesh can better align with international human rights standards and uphold the constitutional rights of its citizens. This study aims to contribute to the broader discourse on justice reform, advocating for a structured and humane approach to addressing wrongful convictions. The findings underscore the importance of legal and institutional reforms in ensuring that justice prevails for those wrongfully convicted, ultimately reinforcing the integrity and fairness of Bangladesh's judicial system.

INTEGRATING FORENSIC MENTAL HEALTH IN LEGAL PROCESSES

The special report titled "Integrating Forensic Mental Health in Legal Processes" focuses on an event held on December 15, 2023, at Sheikh Zayed Medical College in Rahim Yar Khan. This collaborative event, organized by Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), the Pakistan Psychiatric Society (Punjab Chapter), and the departments of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, highlighted the crucial intersection of mental health and criminal justice in Pakistan. The report discusses the situation of the death penalty and capital punishment in Pakistan, emphasizing the challenges faced by juvenile prisoners and those with mental health issues. It also features the screening of three documentaries depicting the struggles of individuals affected by the criminal justice system, emphasizing the need for a more compassionate and equitable legal system. The event included an interactive Q&A session with diverse stakeholders and concluded with an acknowledgment of JPP's contributions towards advocating justice reform. The report suggests enhancing the diversity of perspectives, focusing on actionable outcomes, and involving policymakers more directly in future events to strengthen their impact.

Optimizing the Detective's Burden: A Data-Driven Approach to Enhancing Investigative Productivity

This study examines the critical issue of detective workload and its impact on investigative effectiveness. While detectives play a vital role in solving crimes and upholding justice, they often face overwhelming workloads that can hinder their ability to focus on core investigative activities. The overall aim of this study is to utilize workload analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of detective work and identify evidence-based strategies to increase their productivity in criminal investigations. This research analyzes detective workload through a data-driven lens, exploring the challenges and opportunities for improvement. Main topics the impact of heavy workloads on detective productivity and well-being. Current workload distribution and its limitations Innovative strategies for workload management (e.g., data-driven case prioritization, workload sharing). The role of technology adoption (e.g., digital forensics tools, data analysis platforms) in streamlining investigations. The importance of work-life balance for detective well- being and performance. Key Arguments traditional investigative practices and an imbalance between administrative and investigative tasks significantly impede detective productivity. Implementing data- driven workload management strategies can optimize detective time allocation and improve case resolution rates. Utilizing advanced investigative technologies equips detectives with efficient tools to analyze evidence and identify leads. Promoting a healthy work-life balance for detectives reduces stress and burnout, ultimately contributing to investigative effectiveness. Methodology this research employs a comprehensive approach, drawing on. Literature Review analyzing existing research on detective workload, productivity, and innovative investigative techniques. Policy Review: Examining existing policies and practices related to detective workload management and technology adoption within police departments. Significance this research has significant implications for policymakers, police leadership, and detectives themselves. Policymakers can leverage the findings to develop evidence-based strategies for optimizing detective workload and improving investigative efficiency. Police leadership can utilize the recommendations to implement data-driven workload management practices and equip detectives with the necessary technology and training. Detectives can gain valuable insights into workload management strategies and advocate for initiatives that promote well-being and enhance their investigative capabilities. Audience this research is targeted towards a broad audience, including: Policymakers involved in criminal justice reform and police department funding. Police leadership seeking to enhance detective productivity and improve investigative outcomes. Detectives and law enforcement professionals seeking to optimize their workload and improve investigative efficiency. Academic researchers interested in the field of criminal justice and police work.

The Effect of Restorative Justice for Drug Users on The Overcapacity of Correctional Facility in Solo City

The problem of drug abuse has become a major challenge in many countries, causing the number of prisoners addicted to narcotics to increase and causing overcrowding in prisons. This article discusses the influence of restorative justice as an innovative solution in dealing with drug users and overcrowding in correctional facility. Restorative justice replaces the traditional punishment-focused approach with one that is oriented towards rehabilitation, reconciliation, and the active participation of drug users in the rehabilitation process. In addition, restorative justice can help reduce overcrowding in prisons by reassessing the detention approach to drug users. Alternatives such as community-based rehabilitation programs and electronic monitoring could be implemented to alleviate pressure on the overcrowded prison system. By combining restorative justice and prison reform, governments can create more sustainable and humane solutions to the complex challenges of drug addiction.