Exploring the Impact of Supervision on Pretrial Outcomes

This study seeks to investigate the effect of pretrial supervision on the likelihood of failure to appear (FTA) and new criminal activity (NCA) before case disposition. First, drawing on data from two states, this research isolates two groups of defendants: those released pending case disposition with supervision and those released without supervision. Second, this research compares the two groups across several descriptive factors regarding likelihood of FTA and NCA while in the community pending case disposition

Cell Biomechanics of Cervical Fibroblasts for Studies of Cervical Ripening in Preparation for Birth

Preterm birth (PTB, delivery <37 weeks gestation) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in infants less than one year of age, yet the mechanism for preterm birth is not well understood. It is evident that inflammation of the cervix is a proximate cause for preterm labor and that progesterone is essential for maintenance of normal pregnancy. This study aimed to better understand the role of progesterone in the biomechanical changes that occur in cervical fibroblasts during labor and cervical ripening. To do so, collagen type I contraction assays were used as cellular models to determine the effects of progesterone and cytokines on collagen ECM remodeling) contraction. Cervical fibroblasts were seeded into collagen type I gels and treated with cytokines (Interleukin 1 Beta (IL-1β), Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), or Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α)), progesterone, or both at either 0.2 ng/mL or 2.0 ng/mL for seven days. The change in area of the gels was measured daily with image software ImageJ, to determine the effects of the treatments on the contraction efforts of the fibroblasts. Initial) results of this study indicate that the presence of progesterone enhanced the contractility of the collagen gels. These data suggest that progesterone does in fact influence the mechanical changes of the cervical cells and that it does not negate the effects of the inflammatory cytokines. These studies are the first attempt to examine how cytokines and progesterone can influence the fibroblasts as preparation for labor and birth occurs. With progesterone being a current treatment method for PTB. By better understanding the mechanism behind preterm birth and the role of progesterone we can begin to devise a strategy to delay cervical ripening and pre term birth.March of DimesNo embargoAcademic Major: Biomedical Engineerin

Investigating the Impact of Pretrial Detention on Sentencing Outcomes

This study investigates the impact of pretrial detention on sentencing outcomes for both misdemeanors and felonies

The Hidden Costs of Pretrial Detention

This study investigates the correlation of pretrial detention with 1) pretrial outcomes (failure to appear and arrest for new criminal activity); and 2) post-disposition recidivism (new criminal activity post-disposition)

A Quasi Experimental Evaluation of Thinking for a Change: A Real-World Application

Due to the popularity of cognitive behavioral interventions, programs that follow this model are often assumed to be effective. Yet evaluations of specific programs have been slow in coming. The current investigation seeks to bridge this gap by evaluating the effectiveness of Thinking for a Change (TFAC), a widely used cognitive behavioral curriculum for offenders. Furthermore, this evaluation provides a “real-world” test of TFAC, because it was implemented by line staff in a community corrections agency as opposed to being a pilot project implemented by program developers. The results of the analyses indicate that offenders participating in the TFAC program had a significantly lower recidivism rate than similar offenders that were not exposed to the program

against using the PCRA to inform front-end sentencing decisions or back-end decisions about release without first conducting research on its use in these contexts, given that the PCRA was not designed for those purposes

Abstract One way to unwind mass incarceration without compromising public safety is to use risk assessment instruments in sentencing and corrections. These instruments figure prominently in current reforms, but controversy has begun to swirl around their use. The principal concern is that benefits in crime control will be offset by costs in social justice-a disparate and adverse effect on racial minorities and the poor. Based on a sample of 34,794 federal offenders, we empirically examine the relationships among race (Black vs. White), actuarial risk assessment (the Post Conviction Risk Assessment [PCRA]), and re-arrest (for any/violent crime). First, application of well-established principles of psychological science revealed no real evidence of test bias for the PCRA-the instrument strongly predicts re-arrest for both Black and White offenders and a given score has essentially the same meaning--i.e., same probability of recidivism-across groups. Second, Black offenders obtain modestly higher average scores on the PCRA than White offenders (d= .43; appx. 27% non-overlap in groups&apos; scores). So some applications of the PCRA could create disparate impact-which is defined by moral rather than empirical criteria. Third, most (69%) of the racial difference in PCRA scores is attributable to criminal history-which strongly predicts recidivism for both groups and is embedded in sentencing guidelines. Finally, criminal history is not a proxy for race-instead, it fully mediates the otherwise weak relationship between race and re-arrest. Data may be more helpful than rhetoric, if the goal is to improve practice at this opportune moment in history

Foreclosures and crime: A city-level analysis in Southern California of a dynamic process

Although a growing body of research has examined and found a positive relationship between neighborhood crime and home foreclosures, some research suggests this relationship may not hold in all cities. This study uses city-level data to assess the relationship between foreclosures and crime by estimating longitudinal models with lags for monthly foreclosure and crime data in 128 cities from 1996 to 2011 in Southern California. We test whether these effects are stronger in cities with a combination of high economic inequality and high economic segregation; and whether they are stronger in cities with high racial/ethnic heterogeneity and high racial segregation. One month, and cumulative three month, six month, and 12-month lags of foreclosures are found to increase city level crime for all crimes except motor vehicle theft. The effect of foreclosures on these crime types is stronger in cities with simultaneously high levels of inequality but low levels of economic segregation. The effect of foreclosures on aggravated assault, robbery, and burglary is stronger in cities with simultaneously high levels of racial heterogeneity and low levels of racial segregation. On the other hand, foreclosures had a stronger effect on larceny and motor vehicle theft when they occurred in a city with simultaneously high levels of racial heterogeneity and high levels of racial segregation. There is evidence that the foreclosure crisis had large scale impacts on cities, leading to higher crime rates in cities hit harder by foreclosures. Nonetheless, the economic and racial characteristics of the city altered this effect

Evaluation of Ohio's Reasoned and Equitable Community and Local Alternatives to the Incarceration of Minors funded programs, community corrections facilities, and Department of Youth Services facilities

Title from p. [1] of PDF document (viewed Nov. 17, 2005).; "August 17, 2005."; Includes bibliographical references (p. 45).; Harvested from the web on 11/17/0