Drivers of the Sentenced Population: Probation Analysis

The report examines trends in the number and characteristics of felony probation sentences and caseloads in Illinois, as well as short-term outcomes measures for those discharged from felony probation. The research was performed in collaboration with the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts and the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council

Cents and sensibility: A case study of corrections reform in Kansas and Michigan

The analytical framework developed by the “new penology” describes the content of corrections reform as relatively homogenous, largely driven by forces internal to corrections departments. This article examines the ongoing process of penal reform in the correctional systems of Kansas and Michigan over the last decade and argues that the new penology\u27s analytical framework has the potential to obscure the relationship between penal practices and their immediate institutional environment. Using case studies of corrections reform in Kansas and Michigan, this article shows that the nature and scope of reforms in both states were determined not just by internal considerations and adaptations, but by a number of forces operating outside the penal bureaucracy including the interests of external actors, economic crises, and high profile events. These external forces both constrained and encouraged correctional reforms and led to evolving reform rationales that often conflicted with the practices of the new penology

Cents and sensibility: A case study of corrections reform in Kansas and Michigan

The analytical framework developed by the "new penology" describes the content of corrections reform as relatively homogenous, largely driven by forces internal to corrections departments. This article examines the ongoing process of penal reform in the correctional systems of Kansas and Michigan over the last decade and argues that the new penology's analytical framework has the potential to obscure the relationship between penal practices and their immediate institutional environment. Using case studies of corrections reform in Kansas and Michigan, this article shows that the nature and scope of reforms in both states were determined not just by internal considerations and adaptations, but by a number of forces operating outside the penal bureaucracy including the interests of external actors, economic crises, and high profile events. These external forces both constrained and encouraged correctional reforms and led to evolving reform rationales that often conflicted with the practices of the new penology.

Molecular structure of a Copper (I) Thiolate and its water-soluble complex

The goal of this research was to develop reproducible methods to crystallize some copper(I) thiolates, denoted [Cuₙ(SR)ₘ]ⁿ⁻ᵐ in which “R” stands for an organic fragment, and obtain high-quality crystal structures of these compounds using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. We specifically focused on obtaining crystal structures of copper(I) 2-hydroxyethanethiolate, CuSCH₂CH₂OH (Cu2ME), and hexakis(2-hydroxyethanethiolato) tetracuprate(I) (Cu₄(SCH₂CH₂OH)₆]²⁻). This was attempted by crystallizing tetraalkylammonium salts of complexions [Cu₄(SCH₂CH₂OH)₆]²⁻ synthesized according to the equation below: 2NR₄OH + 2HSCH₂CH₂OH + 4CuSCH₂CH₂OH → 2(NR₄)₂[Cu₄(SCH₂CH₂OH)₆] + H₂O It is hypothesized that using bases with a bulkier alkyl group would allow the entire salt to crystallize due to the similar bulkiness of the Cu₄(SCH₂CH₂OH)₆]²⁻ anion. The crystal structure of neutral Cu₂ME was confirmed from crystals formed by vapor diffusion at room temperature. Methanolic 3M NH₄OH was the basic solution used to deprotonate 2-mercaptoethanol and dissolve Cu2ME. Diethyl ether was the nonsolvent, and in this case, the complex anion did not crystallize; instead, the Cu2ME starting material formed X-ray quality single crystals, which were analyzed at various temperatures. After attempting various methods, crystals suitable for determining the structure of the [Cu₄(SCH₂CH₂OH)₆]²⁻ complex were formed by vapor diffusion at room temperature using aqueous 1.5 M tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (Bu₄NOH) as the base with tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the nonsolvent. These tetrabutylammonium salts are slated for analysis by single-crystal X-ray diffraction