Do you know how your children are? International perspectives on child abuse, mistreatment, and neglect

The purpose of this article is to offer a brief overview of the state of children internationally as it pertains to their levels of abuse, neglect, and needs. The enormity of this topic is obvious, but it is hoped that a basic understanding and appreciation of the definitions, nature and extent, and myriad issues involved can be derived

Horton the elephant is a criminal: Using Dr. Seuss to teach social process, conflict, and labeling theory

It is fairly well known that Theodor Geisel (“Dr. Seuss”) often used art and storytelling as political and social commentary, but no one has attempted to interpret his work through the lens of sociological/criminological theory. This paper argues that several of his tales can be used as aids in teaching the basic principles of many sociological/criminological theories. The author analyzes several of his works and uses one, Horton Hears a Who to illustrate his subtle but powerful commentary on the creation and application of laws, the impact of social stratification, the pervasive and dangerous influence of social and political power derived from economic power, and the nature of crime, punishment, and rehabilitation. The author describes how to create a classroom exercise to teach theory using this particular Seuss story

Chicken Little, Three Blind Men and an Elephant, and “Racial Profiling”: A Commentary on the Collection, Analysis, and Interpretation of Traffic Stop Data

This paper discusses the collection, analysis, and interpretation of police traffic stop data. The focus primarily is on the theoretical, statistical, and practical determination of whether law enforcement is engaging in “racial profiling.” One of the most controversial components of research in this area relates to the “baseline” or comparison group. Researchers struggle with determining whether agencies are engaging in “racial profiling” when making traffic stops without some measure of what the world would look like in the absence of “racial profiling.” We know what is, but how can we know what should be? A model is proposed that delineates between populations and subpopulations of drivers. In addition, arguments are presented that current proxy measures are inadequate as “baselines,” and that a careful determination of the appropriate population for comparison is essential in reaching any conclusions about the profiling practices of any department. Further, it is argued that data from a population of stops within any agency become the baseline for comparison through the use of multivariate (CHAID) analysis, and through comparisons to future data collected by that agency

Interview with Commissioner of Police George Asiamah, Ghana National Police Service Interviewed by Gordon A. Crews and Angela D. Crews

In January of 2007, Drs. Gordon and Angela Crews traveled with their graduate assistant, Mr. Kofi Annor Boye-Doe, and Ghanaian Fulbright Scholar, Mr. Ken Aikins, to Ghana, West Africa, in order to conduct a research study. The original research plan was to conduct a three part examination of: 1) the blend of indigenous government (rooted in religious practices and strongly associated with spirituality and mysticism) and state government in the Ghanaian justice system; 2) the treatment of women and children within these systems; and 3) the alternative dispute resolution, restorative justice, and conflict resolution strategies within the two systems. During this trip, the researchers met with Commissioner of Police Mr. George Asiamah (who has become the driving force for the current Community Policing initiative in Ghana), other officials from the Ghana Police Service (GPS), faculty of the University of Ghana Legon and the University of Cape Coast. In the course of these meetings, the Crews’ became better informed about the practice of justice in the country and some immediate law enforcement needs related to the development of the nation, specifically the dire need for training in “community” and “intelligence-led” policing. Citizens in Ghanaian society (as well as citizens in most sub-Saharan African countries) do not trust the police, preferring to rely instead on “magico-religious” forces and traditional authority figures to settle disputes (Abotchie, 2002). When circumstances do reach severity levels such that citizens are forced to contact law enforcement, the police role is circumscribed as reactive. Unfortunately, this tends to reinforce the perception of citizens that police only exist to take away the “bad guys.” Ghana’s police force has a tradition of being used as a militaristic tool of oppression and this history, unfortunately, remains entrenched in the collective social conscience

Professional integrity in higher education: Behind the green curtain in the land of Oz

This article discusses concerns related to professional integrity in academics and to the use of collegiality as an informal criterion for employment and evaluation decisions. We question the nature of the educational enterprise and the academic environment within which both students and faculty operate. We use the AAUP Statement on Professional Ethics to guide our examination of collegiality, and the three traditional areas of faculty evaluation (teaching, scholarship, and service), as they relate to professional integrity. We discuss potential pitfalls in situations involving integrity concerns, and suggest that the use of collegiality in professional decisions is more prevalent and potentially harmful than many realize

Teaching Tips: Personal Criminal History Analysis Paper

Students often have difficulty visualizing the practical application of criminological theory. The following activity assists instructors to develop students‘ abilities in evaluating behaviors and determining the theoretical perspectives that potentially could be used to explain those behaviors. It also is designed to assist students in comprehending how their own experiences impact their views on law-violating behavior and its etiology. This exercise facilitates students‘ awareness of how their beliefs about the ―causes‖ of law-violating behavior inevitably impact their beliefs about potential ―solutions‖ or ―responses‖ to this type of behavior. Eventually, students unfailingly begin to realize the artificial dichotomy between ―us,‖ as the ―law-abiders,‖ and ―them,‖ as the law-violators, what students perceive to be the ―typical‖ criminal

Crime victims’ satisfaction with police services: An assessment in one urban community

A 3‐month study examined crime victims’ satisfaction with police response to calls for service. Respondents were asked to rate officers with whom they interacted in overall satisfaction, and in courtesy/politeness, speed of response, concern, and helpfulness. Results indicate consistently high overall ratings. Nonparametric statistics indicate that female respondents rated officers significantly higher than male respondents, but no other demographic (age, race, education) or experiential variables (reason for call, location of problem, prior contact with police) significantly impacted ratings. Nonparametric correlations indicated that an officer\u27s perceived helpfulness was the strongest correlate of overall satisfaction, while speed of response was the weakest

Perceived Risk of AIDS Among Prisoners Following Educational Intervention

A pre/post quasi-experimental design was used to assess the impact of one state\u27s AIDS education program on male (N = 75) and female (N= 65) inmates\u27 perceived risk of HIV infection on the street and in prison. Post-test only comparison groups of male and female inmates were evaluated to control for the threat of testing. T-tests for paired samples were used to determine whether any significant changes occurred within groups (male & female), and t-tests for independent samples were used between groups to determine whether males or females experienced the greatest magnitude of change. Multiple regression analyses explored the relationships between selected independent variables, post-test perceptions, and magnitude of change. The men\u27s levels of perceived risk declined significantly from pre- to post-test, whereas the women\u27s increased (although not significantly) in two of three areas. Regression analyses indicated that change in perceptions was related to various variables (e.g., sex) outside of the prison\u27s control. Implications are discussed, and suggestions are offered for modifying current prison-based programs

The Only Thing That Stops a Guy with a Bad Policy is a Guy with a Good Policy: An Examination of the NRA’s “National School Shield” Proposal

With the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT, the public and the government are looking for solutions to school violence. The National Rifle Association (NRA), a Second Amendment, pro-gun advocacy group, has proposed an “education and training emergency response program” called The National School Shield, which advocates the placement of armed security in schools. Although the program sounds provocative, serious questions complicate its plausibility, necessity, motive, and effectiveness. Furthermore, the potential policy and practical ramifications of encouraging armed security forces in U.S. schools are complex. The authors examined the proposal’s key elements from a public policy perspective and determined that the NRA program would be expensive in terms of both implementation and civil and/or criminal liability, would increase juvenile contact with the criminal justice system, would increase the potential for injuries and deaths from firearms, and would potentially only serve to increase profits for those invested in security industries. More potentially effective and safe policy alternatives are offered

The Only Thing That Stops a Guy with a Bad Policy is a Guy with a Good Policy: An Examination of the NRA’s “National School Shield” Proposal

With the recent tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT, the public and the government are looking for solutions to school violence. The National Rifle Association (NRA), a Second Amendment, pro-gun advocacy group, has proposed an “education and training emergency response program” called The National School Shield, which advocates the placement of armed security in schools. Although the program sounds provocative, serious questions complicate its plausibility, necessity, motive, and effectiveness. Furthermore, the potential policy and practical ramifications of encouraging armed security forces in U.S. schools are complex. The authors examined the proposal’s key elements from a public policy perspective and determined that the NRA program would be expensive in terms of both implementation and civil and/or criminal liability, would increase juvenile contact with the criminal justice system, would increase the potential for injuries and deaths from firearms, and would potentially only serve to increase profits for those invested in security industries. More potentially effective and safe policy alternatives are offered