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A Follow-Up Study Of Students Exiting New Dominion School, Lillian M. Firestone-Johansen

Theses & Honors Papers

The research of the past two decades has resulted in a proliferation of information regarding the various reasons for dropping out of school and the characteristics of dropouts. Little has been done, however, to examine the life outcomes of those who have dropped out, or of how various treatments effect those outcomes . This is also true for those youth who are still in school, but who have become academically disengaged. The purpose of this study was to gain information regarding the life outcomes of students who attended a wilderness, residential treatment school called New Dominion. Questionnaires were mailed to …

Effects Of Pro-Socialization Skills Training On Self-Efficacy In Correctional Institution Inmates, Daniel Edward Fry

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Prison inmates released to the community following incarceration often have difficulty adapting socially. Previous research indicates that prison treatment programs aimed at increasing cognitive and prosocial skills can improve ex-felon adaption and decrease recidivism. The current study explored the effects of an 8-week prison treatment program (Transitional Counseling Program [TCP]) designed to teach prosocial skills. This was expected to enhance Bandura's (1977, 1982, 1986) construct of self-efficacy (SE) within inmates. Self-efficacy enhancement was seen as a first step in a program of future research which may show a connection between higher inmate SE at release, improved post prison adaption, and …

Stress And Coping Among Mother Caregivers Of Mentally Ill Adult Children, Mary Cosby Weathers

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to learn about the caregiving experiences of mothers who were caregivers to their mentally ill adult children. All subjects in the sample (N=56) completed a structured interview. In addition, a sub-sample of ten (10) mothers (five white and five black) volunteered to answer a series of open-ended questions about their experiences as caregivers.

These mother caregivers rated the perceived amount of stress associated with selected stress items on a 3 point Likert-type scale. Response choices were "no stress," rated 1, "moderate stress," rated 2 and "severe stress," rated 3.

Coping strategy items were also …

A Sociodemographic Profile Of Women Involved In Violent Domestic Relationships Whose Partners Were Court-Referred For Intervention, Betty Fretz Southworth

Masters Theses

The present study assumed a need for focusing on within-group variation among female victims of domestic violence. This study provided a sociodemographic profile of a newly-identified type of victim of domestic violence. These women have remained with the perpetrator following the domestic violence and have not sought help at shelters or treatment centers. In addition, their husbands/partners are part of a criminal population who have been arrested under warrantless arrest and have been court-adjudicated into treatment. Results of this study indicated a high degree of mutual intuition of verbal conflict as well as a high degree of mutual physical violence. …

Revisiting The Issue Of Terrorism: An Institutional Analysis Of U.S. Sponsored Terrorism Directed Toward Cuba, Rick A. Matthews

Masters Theses

Consistent with Herman's (1982) call to more critically examine state-sponsored terrorism, this study assesses the sociopolitical and economic context in which the U.S. has terrorized the nation-state of Cuba. While the definitional framework in which the U.S. has traditionally examined acts of terrorism excludes from it the possibility of self incrimination, this research uses a single standard and nondiscriminatory definition which examines the behavior in question and harms done, as opposed to a definition based on power considerations alone. The method in which this research is conducted is qualitative, consistent with the principles of a sociohistorical case study, using an …

The Impact Of Judicial Sentencing: An Analysis, Scott K. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Michigan Juvenile Waiver Package: An Analysis Of Its Use In Wayne County, Michigan, Kenneth C. Jackson

Masters Theses

On October 1, 1988, the Michigan Juvenile Waiver Package took effect in Michigan. One of the results of this was the implementation of prosecutorial waiver method in Michigan. Whereas previously juveniles could only be waived and tried in the adult court via a judicial waiver, now it was possible for the prosecutor to waive juveniles aged 15 or 16 if charged with one or more of seven specified Class 1A felonies. Data were collected for all youth subject to prosecutorial waiver in Wayne County over a five year period, from October 1, 1988 through October 1, 1993. Data included: date …

Elitism Versus Streetism: An Examination Of Bias Toward White Collar Offenders In The Criminal Justice System, Yasmin Shiraz Ward

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts by Yasmin Shiraz Ward in August of 1994.

Pulling Time In Appalachia : A Comparative Study Of Prison Argot, Walton Thomas Beckner

Doctoral Dissertations

This study accepts the notion that the isolated environment of the American prison is a powerful conditioner of language and examines how extended incarceration shapes the argot of its user, thus reflecting the shared cultural perceptions and values of prisoners. Specifically, it reports on data gathered in a four state Appalachian region—Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia. Using an interview guide designed by the author to evoke argot surrounding prison cultural concerns, the author interviewed twenty-six inmates who had served protracted sentences in prisons within their respective states. From 950 pages of transcripts covering 35 hours of taped interviews, …

A Descriptive Study Of Offenders Sentenced To Special Alternative Incarceration From 1988-1990 In Kalamazoo County, Sherri Deboef Chandler

Masters Theses

This is a descriptive study of the first two-year cohort of offenders sentenced in Kalamazoo County to Special Alternative Incarceration (SAI). Data were compiled from the Kalamazoo County Probation Department records which indicated 84 young men were sentenced to SAI from its inception in 1988 to 1990. Data were gathered on these offenders spanning 1988 to 1992. Successful graduation from SAI, completion of the probationary period, and recidivism were compared to offense, race, SES, education, employment, and other variables. The data of this group were also compared to national data of those sentenced to Special Alternative Incarceration programs. This group …

Stress And Its Correlates: An Empirical Investigation Among North Dakota Peace Officers, Eric Mark Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The mission of the present investigation was to expand the limited body of knowledge regarding stress among rural peace officers. While a number of studies have focused on large, easily sampled departments, the empirical literature evidences neglect toward officers serving rural populations. The present study seeks to ascertain how North Dakota officers compare with other, more urban populations, and what differences may exist between a stratified sample of North Dakota police, sheriffs and Highway Patrol officers.

A randomized sample of 311 North Dakota officers were selected to receive a 300 question anonymous survey questionnaire which assessed personal demographic information in …

A Study Of The Attitudes Of Psu Students Toward Capital Punishment, Charles L. Hunsaker

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes Pittsburg State University students held toward the debatable and controversial topic of capital punishment. A total of 154 Pittsburg State University students were selected from eight different classrooms on campus to take part in this study. Each student was requested to fill out a questionnaire which was distributed in each class.

Results of the study showed that the majority or 77 percent of Pittsburg State University students approved of the death penalty. The students who disapproved totaled 22 or 14 percent of the total population of 154. There were 14 …

The Reliability Of Self-Reported Drug Use Measured Through The Drug Use Forecasting Program: A Multi-Trait Assessment, Charles M. Katz

Student Work

The majority of drug use data obtained by researchers thus far has been generated through the use of self-reports and urinalyses. In fact, such methods are often the only way to accurately identify individuals who use drugs. There has only been a minimal amount of research concerning the reliability of the self-reported drug use among arrestees in the Drug Use Forecasting (DUF) program. The purpose of this paper is to present initial evidence on the reliability of self-reported interview data when compared to urinalysis, and to give a detailed description of the variables associated with the accuracy of self-reports. The …

The Reliability Of Self-Reported Drug Use Measured Through The Drug Use Forecasting Program: A Multi-Trait Assessment, Charles M. Katz

Student Work

The majority of drug use data obtained by researchers thus far has been generated through the use of self-reports and urinalyses. In fact, such methods are often the only way to accurately identify individuals who use drugs. There has only been a minimal amount of research concerning the reliability of the self-reported drug use among arrestees in the Drug Use Forecasting (DUF) program. The purpose of this paper is to present initial evidence on the reliability of self-reported interview data when compared to urinalysis, and to give a detailed description of the variables associated with the accuracy of self-reports. The …

The Effect Of Legal And Extralegal Factors On Prosecutors' Charging Decisions In Sexual Assault Cases, Jeffrey W. Spears

Student Work

Most studies of criminal justice decision making have focused on the decision to arrest, the pretrial release decision, the decision to enter a guilty plea, and the sentencing decision. There has been very little research on the prosecutor's decision to file charges against persons suspected of crimes. The present study examined the effect of legal and extralegal variables on the prosecutor's decision to file charges in sexual assault cases. Using a sample of all complaints in sexual assaults received by the Detroit Police Departments in 1989, we tested the hypothesis that prosecutors' charging decisions are related to the strength of …

A Comparative Study Of Black And White Girls' Delinquency, Kenya Larae Covington

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

In this research, I examined the similarities and differences between black and white female delinquents. A secondary analysis of the Survey of Youth in Custody, 1987 data was utilized to answer the following research questions: (1) What factors contribute to each group's delinquency the most? (2) Are the factors that contribute to black girls' delinquency significantly different from those factors that contribute to white girls' delinquency? The study was guided by previous research on race and female delinquency, girls' victimization, the role of the family and school performance. The independent variables victimization, family structure, family function and school performance were …

A Comparative Study Of Victimization Experiences And Family Dynamics Of Adolescent Sexual Offenders And Nonsexual Offending Delinquents, Alicia Ann Chavis

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

Research has directed little attention toward understanding and dealing with the adolescent sexual offender. In an effort to understand what makes adolescent sexual offenders different from other delinquents. I will examine the victimization experiences (sexual abuse and physical abuse) and the family dynamics (family violence, family incarceration and family structure) of both adolescent sexual offenders and nonsexual offenders. The research question is: what factors contribute to each group of delinquency the most? Although all of the factors influence delinquency, victimization is expected to be the most influential. This study utilized data from The Survey of Youth in Custody, 1987; a …

Homicide Defendants' Paths Through The Tennessee Criminal Justice System : The Impact Of Prosecutorial Discretion As A Social Justice Issue, Carol B. Berz

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not Tennessee prosecution of capital defendants is legally and therefore socially just, as determined by constitutional standards. The conceptual framework included the following aspects: 1. A decision tree was constructed representing the critical stages of the prosecutorial process and the possible outcomes at each juncture of the decision-making process. 2. Given the possible outcomes at each juncture, the probabilities of capital cases being disposed of at a given level of disposition were determined. 3. Finally, there was a determination of the effects of race, gender, economic status, criminal history and …

Prosecutorial Vindictiveness, John Patrick Krimmel

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Training Foster Parents And Birth Families In Caring For American Indian Children Who Have Experienced Both Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Or Effects And Sexual Abuse, Vi E. Rocek

Theses and Graduate Projects

This thesis examines the effects of both child sexual abuse and fetal alcohol syndrome or effects on American Indian children in foster care. These children manifest a variety of particular behaviors and mental incapabilities causing them to be exceptionally difficult to parent. Using a conceptual framework based on the perspectives of ecology, competence, human development, and permanency planning, the author develops a training program for foster parents, birth parents and extended family. The training provides concrete, workable and easy to apply strategies for caregivers to address the special needs and demands of these children. The rationale for joining foster parents …

Assessing Satisfaction Among Clients Of A Probation Service Center, Iris B. Burlock

Theses and Graduate Projects

The Probation Service Center offers supervision to those probationers who are assessed as posing only a minimal risk to the community-at-large. It was started in Dakota County in April, 1992 as a viable means of monitoring this low-risk offender population by using a group supervision format. The initiation of this program was spurred by the immediate need posed by burgeoning caseloads of those providing traditional one-to-one probation. This need became more dramatic in the face of dwindling financial and human resources.

This research looks at the operations of the Probation Service Center from the client's perspective. A client satisfaction survey …

Wisconsin's Chapter 51 - The Mental Health Act, And The Proposed Fifth Standard Of Dangerousness For Civil Commitment Legislation: A Policy Analysis, Kathryn M. Huston

Theses and Graduate Projects

The purpose of this study was to analyse policy implications qhich sought to explore Chapter 51 of the Wisconsin statutes, the Mental Health Act, and the proposed fifth standard of dangerousness of civil commitment. Civil Commitment is a process that affords the mentally ill with necessary treatment for their illness on a court ordered involuntary basis. The proposed fifth standard legislation would introduce a need for treatment criteria to Wisconsin's current four standards of dangerousness that would be designed to be preventive in nature; to provide treatment at the onset of mental regression vs. allowing a person to become dangerous …

Minnesota Youth In Care: Voices Of Wisdom, Michelle L. Chalmers

Theses and Graduate Projects

Adolescents currently make up the largest proportion of young people entering substitute care in the state of Minnesota. In this exploratory project, eleven young adults with a history of out of home placement in two Minnesota counties were interviewed. Participants shared their perceptions on the degree of influence they feel they had when decisions regarding their placements were made. They provided "advice" for youth currently entering the system and for practitioners working with adolescents in care. A review of the literature exploring the relationship between empowerment theories and youth participation in service provision provides a foundation for the study. Literature …

Social Change In Rural Alaska: Attitudes, Sense Of Belonging, And Migration Intentions Of High School Students, Lisa R. Carley

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

Using 1992 survey data collected from high school students in 15 Alaskan towns and villages, this study investigated migration intentions of adolescents. Previous studies on adolescents' migration intentions have concentrated on comparing youth in areas experiencing natural resource development with youth in other areas. However, these studies have found few differences based on rapid resource development. Previous analysis of the Alaska survey data shows few. if any, differences in migration intentions of students in an area with recent mineral development and students in a traditional fishing area. Differences were found between boys and girls and between town and village students. …

Investigation Of The Healing Process After Sexual Assault: A Dual Case Study, Kirsten B. Harrell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A dual case study was conducted to explore the similarities and differences between the assault and post-assault experiences of fraternal twin sisters, Kathy and Barb, who were abducted and sexually assaulted. A series of in-depth interviews was conducted to obtain the main data set. A number o f tests and questionnaires were used to provide additional information on the personalities, coping styles, and reactions to the assault of these two women. A critical difference between the two women's healing processes emerged in the way in which each cycled through confrontation and inhibition of their thoughts and feelings about the assault. …

A Study To Determine The Relationship Between Juvenile Delinquent Behavior And Academic Achievement In A Special Program For Juvenile Felony Offenders, Larry B. Bromagen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Parents' Perceptions Of The Value Of The Infusion Of African-American Literature In Urban Elementary Classrooms, Euna Nalenda Mcgruder

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Persistence And Desistence In Delinquent Careers: A Test Of Braithwaite's Reintegrative Shaming Theory, Ronald G. Gulotta

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Shared Decision-Making By Team Members Who Have Participated In The Process In A School District, Aletta M. Hicks

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Determinants Of Criminal Court Sentencing, Jennifer Rae Lovko

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.