Criminal Justice Policy Review recent issues

Does an Offender's Age Have an Effect on Sentence Length?: A Meta-Analytic Review

Wu, J., Spohn, C. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:17:10 PST

Research exploring the effects of an offender’s age on unwarranted sentencing disparity has produced conflicting and inconclusive results. Some studies concluded that age was inversely correlated with sentencing severity, whereas others found a positive association. Still others found no significant impact of age on sentencing differentials or that age had a curvilinear effect. Given these inconsistencies, the present research uses meta-analytic methodology to assess empirical findings from a body of sentencing studies. In particular, this research focuses on the imposition of sentence length. Findings from this meta-analysis reveal that the age of the offender has no effect on the length of the prison term and that the strength of the association between the two variables is extremely weak. The homogeneity analysis indicates that variability in effect sizes across contrasts is not due simply to sampling error. A number of moderators related to sample and analytic characteristics account for the differences in effect sizes.

Using Electronic Monitoring to Supervise Sex Offenders: Legislative Patterns and Implications for Community Corrections Officers

Button, D. M., DeMichele, M., Payne, B. K. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:17:10 PST

The contemporary crime control policy arena is one in which many states and the federal government are passing increasingly punitive legislation authorizing, and often, requiring electronic monitoring of sex offenders. This article reviews exploratory legal data on relevant state codes of all 50 states in the United States. The authors review state statutes regulating the electronic monitoring of sex offenders to identify the characteristics of the legislation, the necessity of (and budgetary support for) the laws, and the implications for probation and parole agencies and officers. Eight patterns are identified through the content analysis of recent legislation regarding electronic monitoring of sex offenders. Policy implications are identified.

Truancy Intervention Programs: Challenges and Innovations to Implementation

Dembo, R., Gulledge, L. M. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:17:10 PST

School truancy, particularly in primary and secondary schools, represents a serious issue deserving attention in communities across the nation. Most often treated as a management and disciplinary problem, serious attention to the underlying causes of truancy is usually given after the youths’ absence from school becomes frequent or chronic. Truant youth are at considerable risk of continuing their troubled behavior in school, experiencing psychosocial difficulties, and entering the juvenile justice system. Unfortunately, with few exceptions, truancy has not received significant attention by criminologists. This article addresses three questions: (a) What kinds of truancy programs exist in the United States? (b) What evidence do we have regarding their effectiveness? (c) What system and programmatic issues present obstacles to implementing successful truancy programs and need to be considered in establishing effective programs? Finally, we discuss efforts that are underway in Hillsborough County, Florida, in implementing an effective continuum of service for truant youth and their families.

Gubernatorial Crime Control Rhetoric: A Study in Symbolic Politics

Marion, N. E., Smith, C. M., Oliver, W. M. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:17:10 PST

Past research on presidential rhetoric about crime shows that presidents use crime rhetoric in a specific manner. When talking about crime, they are most likely to use symbolic statements that are designed to make people feel satisfied about government action. To date, no research has analyzed how governors employ political language related to crime. The current study draws on hypotheses derived from research related to the federal executive and applies them to the 50 state executives. A content analysis of 7 years (2002-2008) of governors’ State of the State speeches was conducted to assess how governors employ the issue of crime in their political communication. Overall, the results show that governors rarely follow the same patterns as presidents when speaking to their constituents about crime.

Honor Killings and the Quest for Justice in Black and Minority Ethnic Communities in the United Kingdom

Gill, A. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:17:10 PST

Crimes of honor are characterized by violence against women (VAW) and are consequently not gender neutral. This article not only examines the relationship between gender and violence in communities where honor crimes are committed, focusing on the status of women in South Asian communities, but also considers other contexts in which these crimes are practiced. Criminal justice responses to the issue over the last 10 years are then examined, leading to an analysis of a round-table discussion intended to consider approaches to the issue. The viability of criminalization is called into question because the official response to these crimes is often insensitive to women’s cultural circumstances. Recommendations are made to help reduce the numbers of these crimes.

Using a Vignette Research Design to Examine Traffic Stop Decision Making of Police Officers: A Research Note

Phillips, S. W. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:17:10 PST

A variety of data collection methods have been used to examine an officer’s decision to stop a vehicle. Most research examines poststop behavior, and no single method has been able to obtain all the relevant independent variables for a comprehensive examination of this behavior. This study uses vignettes describing a traffic stop incident. Driver characteristics, vehicle characteristics, and traffic violations are included as independent variables. Officers from three law enforcement agencies are provided two traffic stop vignettes. Officers indicate their likelihood of stopping a vehicle based on vignette information. Vehicle characteristics and traffic violations influence the likelihood of stopping a vehicle. Officers in smaller police agencies are significantly more likely to stop a vehicle than are Sheriff’s deputies.

Book Review: Baumgartner, F. R., De Boef, S. L., & Boydstun, A. E. (2008). The Decline of the Death Penalty and the Discovery of Innocence. New York: Cambridge University Press

Bergin, T. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:17:10 PST

In Remembrance: Eric Kelly, Paul Sciullo II, and Stephen Mayhle

Giever, D. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:34:58 PDT

Policing for Homeland Security: Policy & Research

Oliver, W. M. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:34:58 PDT

Since the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, Federal, State and local governments have increasingly moved toward establishing Homeland Security as an institutional response to not only the threat of future terrorist attacks, but as a means of preparing and responding to natural disasters. Every plan at every level has stated that a critical element to any Homeland Security program is the local police and sheriff's departments. What specifically the police are to do under the concepts of Homeland Security has been unclear and poorly communicated and departments across the country have responded very differently from one another. To date, research in the area of Policing and Homeland Security has been lacking. This article addresses that deficiency, introduces the collection of research articles contained within this special issue of Criminal Justice Policy Review, and establishes an agenda for future research.

An Exploratory Study of Local Homeland Security Preparedness: Findings and Implications for Future Assessments

Pelfrey, W. V. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:34:58 PDT

As an artifact of the war on terror, local law enforcement agencies have been asked to serve as the "eyes and ears" of federal intelligence agencies. The federal Office of Domestic Preparedness (ODP) has assembled a set of guidelines to assist agencies in terrorism prevention and weapons of mass destruction identification. However, there is a dearth of metrics and measurement tools available to assess preparedness. Based on ODP guidelines, a methodology to tap preparedness levels is defined. Additionally, preliminary findings from an assessment of a large law enforcement agency are presented. Application of this methodology will enhance the preparedness of local agencies by identifying areas of strength and those areas which require attention. Once these deficit areas are defined, policy makers can define appropriate training and programmatic changes.

Homeland Security in the Heartland: Risk, Preparedness, and Organizational Capacity

Giblin, M. J., Schafer, J. A., Burruss, G. W. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:34:58 PDT

This study examines the perceived risk of a terrorist attack, terrorism preparedness activities, and organizational capacity in over 500 Illinois law enforcement agencies. Survey results show that the perceived risk of an attack is relatively low but organizations are taking steps to prepare for large-scale emergencies. The study also found that perceptions of risk predicted the level of preparedness activities and that an organizational leader's confidence in his or her organization's ability to respond to a terrorist incident is influenced by the number of preparedness measures taken. Implications of the research are explored.

A New Era of Policing?: An Examination of Texas Police Chiefs' Perceptions of Homeland Security

Stewart, D. M., Morris, R. G. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:34:58 PDT

Many claims have been made about how the events of September 11 have thrust American policing into a new era, one wherein homeland security is the dominant strategy. To examine the validity of such claims, a sample of 208 Texas police chiefs is surveyed concerning their perceptions of homeland security as a strategy for local law enforcement. Factors that influence those perceptions are also examined. The findings reveal that, whereas the majority of chiefs felt that homeland security had become the dominant strategy of the police institution, few believed that homeland security had become the overriding strategy of their respective departments. Furthermore, regression analyses suggest that federal collaboration, preparedness, and threat perceptions were predictive of homeland security perceptions. Regarding department size, chiefs of very small departments are more likely to report homeland security as their dominant strategy in relation to chiefs of larger departments. Policy implications are discussed.

Intelligence-Led Policing: Conceptual and Functional Considerations for Public Policy

Carter, D. L., Carter, J. G. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:34:58 PDT

Policing in the post-9/11 era is experiencing a philosophical change that is expanding community- and problem-oriented policing to include the broader philosophy of intelligence-led policing (ILP). Building on the British experience, the application of ILP to American policing has been complicated by a number of challenges. Although stimulated by 9/11, the movement toward ILP is being furthered by a number of federal public policy initiatives. As a result of these diverse demands, law enforcement must revisit operational policies and creatively adjust their organizations to reflect this new paradigm. This article provides insight on the conceptual background of ILP, public policy standards, and the integration of ILP with community policing.

Community Policing and Homeland Security Policing: Friend or Foe?

Chappell, A. T., Gibson, S. A. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:34:58 PDT

The past three decades have seen police agencies move toward the adoption of community policing. However, since 9/11, the policing focus has appeared to shift toward homeland security. Whether this represents a shift to a new policing philosophy or a modification to an existing one is unclear. Are community policing and homeland security policing compatible? Or does the move toward homeland security policing signal the demise of community policing? This study investigates these questions with data from Virginia police chiefs. Results suggest that police chiefs with 4-year degrees, chiefs from smaller departments, and chiefs from departments with higher levels of community policing implementation are less likely to believe that the emphasis on community policing is waning. Furthermore, police chiefs with 4-year degrees and those from departments with higher levels of community policing implementation are more likely to see community policing and homeland security policing as complementary strategies. Implications of the findings and directions for future research are discussed.

The Influence of Race/Ethnicity on the Perceived Prevalence and Support for Racial Profiling at Airports

Gabbidon, S. L., Penn, E. B., Jordan, K. L., Higgins, G. E. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:34:58 PDT

This article explores citizens' views on racial profiling at airports. A recent Gallup poll allowed for analyses of the perception of Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites concerning whether they felt racial profiling at airports was widespread and/or justified. Multivariate analyses revealed that Blacks were more likely than Whites to believe profiling at airports was widespread. There were, however, no differences between the opinions of Whites and Hispanics on the extent of profiling in airports. Racial and ethnic minorities were less likely than Whites to believe that profiling at airports was justified. The implications of the results are discussed.

Historical Overview and Perceptions of Racial and Terrorist Profiling in an Era of Homeland Security: A Research Note

Wilkins Newman, D., Brown, N.-Q. D. — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:34:58 PDT

This study explores and compares the viewpoints of law enforcement and non-law enforcement/student populations regarding terrorist profiling. The research reveals that law enforcement subjects are more likely than non-law enforcement subjects to support the usefulness of terrorist profiling and to be more suspicious of Middle Eastern males in regard to terrorist acts similar to September 11. No significant difference is found between their beliefs regarding racial or terrorist profiling being required to effectively combat terrorism. To explain the results, the article provides the historical background of criminal, racial, and terrorist profiling. The findings provide knowledge useful for enhancing the understanding needed for more effective community policing in a homeland security era.

Congress, Crime, and Budgetary Responsiveness: A Study in Symbolic Politics

Marion, N. E., Oliver, W. M. — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:16:29 PDT

In 1980, Caldeira and Cowart theorized that Congress has been responsive in its budgetary responsibilities to the rise in official crime rates. Their findings based on their study from 1935 to 1975 supported the theory that Congress was engaged in substantive policy making. This article theorizes that Caldeira and Cowarts' findings are no longer true and that criminal justice policy making has become more symbolic in recent years. Hence, budgetary appropriations should no longer be responsive to the rise and fall in official crime rates. Drawing on the theory of symbolic politics, which posits that political acts are viewed as symbols conveying a political meaning that are an end unto themselves, this study replicates and updates the work of Caldeira and Cowart. The study finds support for the theory of symbolic politics and suggests that Congressional involvement in crime policy, beginning in the early 1970s, has become even more symbolic.

The Influence of Sex Offender Registration on Juvenile Sexual Recidivism

Letourneau, E. J., Bandyopadhyay, D., Sinha, D., Armstrong, K. S. — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:16:29 PDT

This study examines the influence of South Carolina's sex offender registration policy on juvenile offender recidivism risk. Juvenile male sexual offender (N = 1,275) risk of recidivism was examined with an average 9-year follow-up. Survival analysis was used to examine the influence of covariates, including the primary time-dependent covariate registration status at time, on risk of new sexual offense charges and adjudications. A competing risks model was used to explain the effects of covariates on different types of recidivism events (sexual, assault, and other). Registration status at time had a significant effect on risk of new "other" offense charges and a marginal (p < .10) effect on risk of sexual offense charges (survival analysis) but no statistical evidence of affecting risk of new adjudications. Results suggest a surveillance effect leading to unnecessary charges for registered (vs. nonregistered) youth. State and national policy implications are discussed.

Reentry for Serious and Violent Offenders: An Analysis of Program Attrition

Listwan, S. J. — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:16:29 PDT

With approximately 650,000 prisoners returning home each year, the discussion surrounding how to best plan for their transition home has increased. Traditional supervision-focused parole services have a limited ability to adequately address all of the exprisoners needs and issues. As such, in 2003, the federal government established the Serious and Violent Offender Reentry Initiative (SVORI). The SVORI is a large-scale program that provided states with federal funding to develop or enhance existing reentry services. The current study builds on the previous research by examining factors associated with program failure for both the institutional and community phases of a SVORI-funded reentry program. The results indicate that those individuals who were unemployed, who did not reside with family members, and who were higher risk were significantly more likely to fail the program during the community reentry phase.

The Narcotics Initiative: An Examination of the NYPD Approach to Drug Enforcement, 1995-2001

McCabe, J. E. — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:16:29 PDT

In the mid-1990s, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) developed a new approach to address drug conditions called the narcotics initiative. Centered on a three-prong enforcement strategy, the initiatives were concentrated in specific clusters of precincts and successively deployed over a period of several years throughout New York City. This study examines the impact of two initiatives deployed in Queens County, NY, and examines the effectiveness of the initiatives based on the decrease in crime and increase in enforcement associated with their deployment. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) is used to examine the data, and the results showed limited impact in community conditions after the initiatives were deployed.

Job Satisfaction Behind Walls and Fences: A Study of Prison Health Care Staff

Garland, B. E., McCarty, W. P. — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:16:29 PDT

Health care staff serve important humanitarian, legal, and security functions inside prisons. Although medical and health staff have become critical to daily life in prisons, little is known about their work attitudes and outcomes. This article examines the job satisfaction of 430 health care practitioners in the federal prison system. Ordinary least squares regression is used to analyze responses to a global measurement of job satisfaction. This analytic procedure was chosen after tests determined that prison-level characteristics would have very little influence on the job satisfaction of this sample. Work-related variables were stronger predictors of job satisfaction than personal characteristics. Feeling effective in dealing with inmates had the strongest impact on job satisfaction. Health care staff also had higher job satisfaction when they perceived greater flexibility and effectiveness in organizational operations and when they had more positive feelings about supervision. Significant personal characteristics that influenced job satisfaction included race and education level.

Legislator Ideology and Corrections and Sentencing Policy in Florida: A Research Note

Cook, C., Lane, J. — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:16:29 PDT

Crime and sentencing are key issues confronting policy makers. Overcrowding and escalating corrections budgets have brought increased public attention on the criminal justice system. In light of this increased focus, it is important to examine what issues concern policy makers in corrections and sentencing policy decisions. The purpose of this research is to explore how Florida legislators consider crime causation, crime control, and support for rehabilitation when deciding on corrections and sentencing policy. This study also offers an initial and exploratory glance into whether policy makers consider inmate behavior and public fear when making policy decisions. Findings suggest that legislators in Florida support imprisonment as well as rehabilitation, believe in using policy to control inmate behavior, and hesitate to alter public policy toward more leniency even if public fear decreases.

Assessing the Effects of the Drug Court Intervention on Offender Criminal Trajectories: A Research Note

Heck, C., Roussell, A., Culhane, S. E. — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:16:29 PDT

Using a combination of NCIC and local police data from Wyoming, this study focuses on the short-term effects of the drug court intervention on offender criminal trajectories. Wyoming's drug courts operate in a manner consistent with most drug courts around the nation by focusing on offender supervision, judicial oversight, frequent and random drug testing, and intensive substance abuse treatment. The results of this outcome analysis suggest dramatic reductions in criminal offending both during the drug court program and for the year immediately following the program participation.

Geographic Aspects of Sex Offender Residency Restrictions: Policy and Research

Mulford, C. F., Wilson, R. E., Moore Parmley, A. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:30:16 PST

A District Attorney's Viewpoint: Geographic Aspects of Sex Offender Residency Restrictions

Dumanis, B. M. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:30:16 PST

A Police Chief's Viewpoint: Geographic Aspects of Sex Offender Residency Restrictions

Casady, T. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:30:16 PST

Analyzing the Impact of a Statewide Residence Restriction Law on South Carolina Sex Offenders

Barnes, J.C., Dukes, T., Tewksbury, R., De Troye, T. M. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:30:16 PST

Recently, several states have enacted legislation that restricts sex offenders from living in close proximity to certain areas in an effort to counter recidivism and alleviate community safety concerns. The South Carolina Legislature is currently debating two pieces of legislation that would prohibit registered sex offenders from living in close proximity to schools, daycare centers, child recreational facilities, parks, playgrounds, bus stops, and other areas where children are known to congregate. Given the recent emergence of residence restriction statutes, insufficient research has examined their impact on offenders, communities, and the criminal justice system. Using spatial analysis, four of the six South Carolina counties with the highest number of registered sex offenders are examined in relation to the effects of the two proposed statewide residence restriction laws. Implications concerning offender access to housing and treatment opportunities are discussed along with potential effects to local communities and the criminal justice system.

An Evaluation of Sex Offender Residency Restriction Functioning in Town, County, and City-Wide Jurisdictions

Chajewski, M., Mercado, C. C. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:30:16 PST

Residency restrictions prohibit sex offenders from living within close proximity to schools and other areas where children congregate. Though widely implemented, little empirical research has yet examined where sex offenders reside in relation to schools. Using mapping software, this study examines the differential impact of residency restrictions on housing availability in town, county, and city-wide jurisdictions, and further examines distances of sex offender and comparison community member residencies in proximity to schools. Though findings reveal that residency restrictions mostly impact housing availability in urban areas, residency shortages would likely occur in rural and suburban areas as well. Moreover, although sex offenders residing in city areas tend to live closer to schools than randomly selected community members, offenders with child victims in the same area live further from schools than offenders with no child victims. Policy implications, including concerns over housing shortages, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Geocoding Accuracy Considerations in Determining Residency Restrictions for Sex Offenders

Zandbergen, P. A., Hart, T. C. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:30:16 PST

Geocoding is commonly employed to determine the location of addresses for use in spatial analysis, including the establishment of residency restriction zones for sex offenders. Street geocoding has known limitations in terms of positional accuracy, which may adversely affect spatial analytic methods. A case study on sex offenders in Orange County, Florida, is used to characterize the positional accuracy of street geocoding and its impact on spatial analysis. Positional accuracy of street geocoded locations of sex offenders' residences, schools, and day care facilities was determined using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) by measuring the distance to the correct property boundaries. Results show that positional errors in street geocoding are substantial and may bias conclusions drawn from proximity analysis. Findings strongly suggest that street geocoding is not appropriate for assessing residency restriction violations for sex offenders. These findings have important implications for criminal justice policies related to residency restrictions for sex offenders.

Examining the Impact of Sex Offender Residence Restrictions on Housing Availability

Zgoba, K. M., Levenson, J., McKee, T. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 12:30:16 PST

This study explores the potential impact of residence restrictions on housing availability for registered sex offenders in Camden County, New Jersey (N = 211). The proportion of registered sex offenders who live within typical exclusionary zones of 1,000 and 2,500 ft of schools, day care centers, churches, and parks is determined using the Geographical Information System mapping technology. The majority of sex offenders live within 2,500 ft of schools (71%) and day care centers (80%), and 88% live within 2,500 ft of any of four hot spots. Comparatively, 80% of nonoffending citizens live within 2,500 ft of such places. Offenders of adult victims live significantly closer to schools compared to those with child victims. The results suggest that a majority of sex offenders would be unable to live in their current homes if residence restrictions were in place, and that few options for housing exist outside of common buffer zones.