Criminal Justice and Behavior

Publisher:: Sage Publications, Inc.
Publication date:: 2021-09-06

ISBN:: 0093-8548

Issue Number

Latest documents

Procedural Justice, Perceived Legitimacy, and Reoffending Behavior: In Police and Court Setting
Despite the increasing body of procedural justice research studying individuals involved in the criminal justice system, this strand of literature has used different approaches to measure procedural justice and legitimacy. The present study assesses the different theoretical assumptions of these approaches across two criminal justice settings, namely, policing and courts. In addition, we examine how procedural justice stemming from interactions with police officers and judges is related to legitimacy and reoffending behavior postrelease. Using data on adult detainees who entered Dutch pretrial detention centers, our findings support the theoretical assumptions regarding procedural justice and felt obligation to obey the law in both criminal justice settings. Furthermore, path analyses show that perceptions of procedural justice arising from encounters with police officers and judges are related to a higher sense of obligation to obey the law, which in turn is associated with a lower risk of reoffending.
The Imposition of Pretrial Conditions on Released Federal Defendants: The Overuse of Conditions Without Providing Any Measurable Benefits
In the federal system, defendants placed on pretrial release may have multiple conditions imposed on them which are aimed at ensuring court appearances and maintaining public safety. In general, little is known about the number of conditions imposed on released federal defendants, the extent to which conditions are associated with pretrial risk, and the potential of these conditions to maximize court appearances and minimize pretrial crime. This study seeks to address these issues by examining the imposition of pretrial conditions on 223,260 released federal defendants. The results show that defendants received an average of about nine conditions and that the association between conditions and a defendant’s pretrial risk classification was relatively modest. The results also show conditions having no significant relationship with reductions in the likelihood of pretrial crime or missed court appearances; however, the probability of being revoked increases with the number of conditions imposed.
Victim Recovery in Restorative Justice: A Theoretical Framework
Restorative justice was initially used for minor crimes, but it has been increasingly used to address the aftermath of violent crimes. Previous studies have indicated that restorative justice can be effective in reducing the harmful effects of violent victimization. However, there is limited research on how restorative justice can support victim recovery. This article presents a theoretical framework to better understand the relationship between victim recovery and restorative justice. The framework identifies core recovery factors that are common to victims of different types of violence, as well as those that are relevant to the restorative justice process. In addition, the framework highlights enabling factors that can facilitate the victim recovery process when present in restorative justice as well as inhibiting factors that can impede the victim recovery process if they are present in restorative justice.
Restorative Justice Treatment for Domestic Violence Crimes: A Qualitative Study
Domestic Violence Intervention Programs have become a key component in addressing domestic violence (DV) crimes. Recent research suggests that combining standard intervention programs with other approaches can improve overall effectiveness. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of individuals court-mandated to treatment who completed either a standard intervention program or a restorative justice (RJ)-based hybrid intervention program combining a standard treatment program with RJ elements and Circles of Peace. Multiple interviews were conducted with participants (N = 14) who completed one of the two programs. Qualitative data analysis was performed. Four major themes emerged: Communication and understanding, Changes in the nature of the violence, Changes in self-perception, and Program content and atmosphere experiences. The findings suggest that the hybrid intervention program may have a positive influence on the way participants perceive treatment effectiveness. Participants’ experiences may serve as a framework for improving approaches to DV treatment.
Changes in Risk Profiles: Latent Transition Analysis of Youth on Probation
We use a person-centered approach to examine how patterns of risk and protective factors can change among youth on probation (N = 7,024). Data were collected using the Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument. We used latent transition analysis to identify distinct subgroups at intake and exit; estimated probabilities of moving between groups; and examined recidivism rates. We selected the model with five groups and found that the groups at intake and exit were similar. We characterized the groups in order of declining risk: Highest Risk, Social Drug Risk, Individual Risk, Drug Risk, and Low Risk. Youth were most likely to move out of the Highest Risk group and most likely to stay in the two lowest risk groups. Common transitions yielded improved recidivism rates. This knowledge can inform case plans that will increase young people’s likelihood of moving into a lower risk group, thereby improving recidivism rates.
The Classification of Federally Sentenced Women in Canada: Addition of Gender-Informed Variables to the Custody Rating Scale Contributes Incremental Predictive Validity
“It Makes Him Feel Even Farther Away”: Disruptions in Communication Among Families Impacted by Incarceration During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A Classification System to Guide Treatment Needs for Juveniles Who Have Engaged in Abusive Sexual Behavior
A Forensic Science Informational Video Can Help Mock Jurors Evaluate Forensic Expert Testimony
Parental Incarceration in Childhood and Adult Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: Race/Ethnicity and Sex Differences
Few studies have examined associations between parental incarceration (PI) and violence perpetration in adulthood. We used Wave I and Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to investigate such associations with intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. Exposure to PI was found significantly associated with increased risk of all IPV perpetration behaviors in adulthood, except forced sex. The association of PI exposure with issuing threats, pushing, and throwing objects did not differ by race/ethnicity or sex. Associations of PI exposure with slapping, hitting, or kicking and injuring a partner were stronger for non-Hispanic White persons than for non-Hispanic Black persons. Differing patterns of elevated violence risk in adults with PI history suggest tailored preventive strategies may be of value.