Corrections & Sentencing

A broad body of research has examined the theoretical and empirical linkages between neighborhood characteristics, social processes, and aggregate crime patterns (Anderson, 1999; Bursik & Grasmick, 1993; Sampson & Groves, 1989). Less attention has been paid to gangs in the resurgence of research on neigh- borhoods and violence (Decker, Melde, & Pyrooz, 2013). Further, much of the neighborhoods research focuses on gangs as dependent variables, seeking to explain the emergence of gangs (Tita, Cohen, & Engberg, 2005) or spatial dis- tribution of gang homicide (Rosenfeld,…

We evaluated the efficacy of sex offender residence restrictions in Michigan and Missouri using a quasi-experimental design with propensity score matching. First, we examined the implementation of the laws and found that sex offenders in both states were less likely to live in restricted areas after the implementation of the laws than the prerestriction sample, but the differences were not statistically significant. In our outcome analysis, we find little evidence that residence restrictions changed the prevalence of recidivism substantially for…

Numerous studies have examined the postrelease behaviors of men and women, highlighting the importance of social bonds in understanding posi- tive reentry. However, there is evidence that the effect of social bonds on recidivism may vary by gender. Furthermore, research suggests that an indi- vidual’s propensity for criminality, including prior criminal history, may hinder the development and maintenance of positive social bonds and subsequently affect reentry transitions.The current study extends previous research in two ways. First, the authors examine gender…

Victims play a central role in criminal case processing, but research suggests many victims do not report crimes to police or cooperate in a police investigation. This study extends the literature on victim cooperation by examining the effect of inci- dent-level variables and neighborhood characteristics on victim cooperation in nonfatal shooting incidents. The sample includes 1,054 nonfatal shooting victims from two Midwestern cities. Results using binary logistic regression suggest that incident and victim characteristics are significantly associated with cooperation, but…

Over the past two decades, the juvenile incarceration rate has increased steadily. On any given day, more than 368 of every 100,000 juveniles are serving time in correctional facilities, and nearly all of them will be released back into the communities from which they came (Snyder and Sickmund, 1999). A continuum of programming services is needed to aid the incarcerated juvenile population in preparing for release, leaving prison, and returning to the community so that the likelihood of successful community…

Gun violence in the United States is a pervasive and costly public health issue (Wintemute, 2015) so much that the American Medical Association declared gun violence a public health crisis (Friedman, 2016). Exposure to gunfire is among a set of indicators that have been linked with negative health outcomes, particularly among youth (Bieler & La Vigne, 2014). Read more here:

Victims play a central role in criminal case processing, but research suggests many victims do not report crimes to police or cooperate in a police investigation. This study extends the literature on victim cooperation by examining the effect of inci- dent-level variables and neighborhood characteristics on victim cooperation in nonfatal shooting incidents. The sample includes 1,054 nonfatal shooting victims from two Midwestern cities. Results using binary logistic regression suggest that incident and victim characteristics are significantly associated with cooperation, but…

The prevalence of drug use among probationers, and the entire offender population, has been well documented. Numerous drug treatment modalities have been shown to reduce recidivism among this population; however, analyses of programmatic success are often based on a subset of offenders who complete treatment. Less is known about individuals who fail to complete treatment. The goal of the current study is to consider the interaction of drug use, drug treatment provision, and treatment completion on recidivism using data from…

The parole board plays an integral part in the reentry of offenders into the community from prison in most states; yet, little is known about the decision-making practices of this group. In particular, few studies have used quantitative data to examine parole among a large group of offenders, and less is known about the direct and joint effects of race and ethnicity on this decision point. We extend previous work by con- sidering variation in parole timing among a sample…

Gun crime is a major concern for communities and police agencies. Gun crime affects not only the immediate victims and their families, but the community as a whole. Timely first responders, advanced medical care — and perhaps the poor aim of the shooter — mean saved lives, making shootings that were once fatal events now nonfatal events. Although there is no central repository or data collection system that measures nonfatal shootings, it is nevertheless important that law enforcement expand its…