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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Implementing Educational Courses On Social Media Within Prisons To Decrease Unemployment Rates Among Ex-Prisoners And Reduce Recidivism In The United States, Shannon Hernandez Jan 2019

Implementing Educational Courses On Social Media Within Prisons To Decrease Unemployment Rates Among Ex-Prisoners And Reduce Recidivism In The United States, Shannon Hernandez

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This paper focuses on whether or not it would be beneficial to implement educational courses on social media within prisons in order to prepare prisoners for release, improve post-release unemployment rates, and improve recidivism rates in the United States. Since the early 1990s, technology has grown to a point where it has become a part of everyone’s daily life, which includes social media platforms (Greenstein, 2012). While society has adapted to these advancements, prisoners who have been removed from society for many years are unable to achieve the same levels of social media comprehension, which can cause disparity between their …


Creating The Best: A Two-Prong Policy Approach To Improve The Quality Of Future Certified Ohio Peace Officers, Amy English Jan 2019

Creating The Best: A Two-Prong Policy Approach To Improve The Quality Of Future Certified Ohio Peace Officers, Amy English

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This qualitative client applied study explained and explored a two-fold approach that could be used to implement policy changes that will aid small Ohio police departments in commissioning intellectually developed and psychologically suited individuals for employment in law enforcement. Several issues needed to be addressed in order to accomplish these policy changes. Criminological theories were correlated to deviant behaviors of criminally charged Ohio police officers. Past legislated police reform acts were addressed. Past studies of police officer higher education were analyzed. Finally, the implementation factors for psychological evaluations as a police academy pre-enrollment requirement were identified. This study, based on …


Intimate Partner Violence: Educational Workshop Curriculums For Service Providers, Gracemarie Schian Jan 2018

Intimate Partner Violence: Educational Workshop Curriculums For Service Providers, Gracemarie Schian

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has detrimental effects on a victim that include psychological, verbal and physical abuse. The escalation of violence within a relationship can have devastating effects. In a 2017 report, IPV was reported by close to 30% of women in relationships around the world (Loxton et al.). The impact of IPV has led to many mental health problems, as well as an overall decrease in self-reported health (Loxton et al., 2017). The current research on IPV has been diverse in the countries it has been researched in and continues to expand as more resources through self-reporting and other …


Criminality Of Women, Danielle Orr Jan 2018

Criminality Of Women, Danielle Orr

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Criminological theories construct the basis of criminology, as these theories are used to develop preventative and rehabilitative measures. These criminological theories are developed based on standardized testing and empirical research conducted by theorists within the field. At a glance, the theories developed should cover all forms of crimes conducted by a range of individuals. However, a review of the literature determined further analysis of criminological theories must be conducted. This study looks at theories that are most common within criminology and determine whether or not women are equally represented and depicted. By analyzing strain, labeling, biological, and social control theories, …


Excited Delirium Syndrome And Conducted Electrical Weapons, Adam A. Nielsen Dec 2014

Excited Delirium Syndrome And Conducted Electrical Weapons, Adam A. Nielsen

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Excited delirium syndrome (ExDS) is defined as delirium coupled with extreme agitation (Vilke et al., 2012). ExDS is a bona fide medical condition that requires immediate medical attention, as 8% of patients will die from it. Some research only classifies ExDS as "true ExDS" if the subject dies; most research does not and this research does not wish to exclude the 92% of ExDS cases where the subject does not die. ExDS is well known because it oftentimes comes into play during and after a violent encounter with law enforcement. Because over 7,000 U.S. law enforcement agencies use TASER© brand …


The Day Of The Cyber Wolf, Ryan K. Buch Dec 2014

The Day Of The Cyber Wolf, Ryan K. Buch

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Terrorism has become a concern for public safety and security and can take on many appearances. However, in recent years the dilemma that presents the most substantial endangerment to public security comes from the threat of leaderless terrorists, also known as "lone wolves." Due to the rapid advancement in technology over the past few decades, societies, specifically the United States, have become dependent upon it economically and socially. Terrorist organizations, as well as the lone wolf terrorist, understand that their enemies rely on technology in order to function and have recently redirected their efforts towards cyberspace. As a result, cyber-terrorism …


Private Police In The Public Safety Domain: Purpose And Practice, Carl Dwain Terry Dec 2014

Private Police In The Public Safety Domain: Purpose And Practice, Carl Dwain Terry

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Abstract: The study presents a qualitative exploration and description, through content analysis, of the shift to the combined (private and public) police forces approach in the pursuit of public peace and security. The aim of which is to reveal private police alternatives and viewpoints to maintaining peace and security not yet practiced by unapprised jurisdictions. The effort contextualizes the topic in a framework which explores and attempts to resolve the issue of the veracity of the shift by examining the current state and conditions prompting the shift and future trends relative to its continuance. Formations of private police operations in …


A Crime Hidden In Plain Sight: A Review Of Programs That Address Human Trafficking In Colorado, Janecke Hausken Sep 2014

A Crime Hidden In Plain Sight: A Review Of Programs That Address Human Trafficking In Colorado, Janecke Hausken

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The focus of this project is looking at current programs in the Denver area that work in some capacity to combat human trafficking. Research suggests that Denver is a huge drop off point for victims due to a major international airport and two major cross-country highways intersecting in the middle of downtown Denver. While the project does not provide any conclusive evidence, the numbers presented do show that perhaps there is a correlation between the establishment of these programs and an increase in arrest rates for certain charges. While one program focuses more on services and aiding the victims of …


The World Of Sex Trafficking, Angienieka S. West-Wek Aug 2014

The World Of Sex Trafficking, Angienieka S. West-Wek

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

There is a concern that people think that human trafficking only takes place outside of the United States. However, this crime happens right in the United States. Some people may be unaware of what human trafficking really is and all the other crimes that are generally associated with human trafficking. There also may be victims that want to seek help but really do not know :from whom to seek help from. Everyone needs to be able to identify a victim that may be involved in human trafficking. The victim may not be willing to step forward at that time but …


Teen Dating Violence: Adolescent Development And Its Role In The Success Of Prevention Programs, Lisa Dougherty Mar 2013

Teen Dating Violence: Adolescent Development And Its Role In The Success Of Prevention Programs, Lisa Dougherty

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This study was conducted to explore adolescent development and adolescent dating violence in order to determine if prevention programs need to be written to reflect the different stages of development. Research was gathered from four areas: adolescent development, adolescent romantic relationships, teen dating violence, and teen dating violence prevention programs. Using an inductive approach, a content analysis of the literature was used to answer the following questions: 1) After reviewing research on adolescent development and adolescent romantic relationships; are there stages in adolescent romantic relationships where conflict appears most often? 2) In the teen dating violence studies, what stage(s) of …


Corporal Punishment And Aggression In Adulthood: A Product Of Social Learning, Derek R. Schneider Dec 2012

Corporal Punishment And Aggression In Adulthood: A Product Of Social Learning, Derek R. Schneider

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The focus of my study will be on the relationship between child abuse and aggression in adulthood. Individuals who support corporal punishment are more likely to support using violence against other adults, as compared to those that do not support corporal punishment. In other words, adults that are likely to use violence to resolve conflict with children are more inclined to use violence to resolve conflicts with other adults. Bandura (1977) explained that human behavior is learned observationally through modeling. The idea of modeling involves observing others and beginning to form an idea of how new behaviors are performed; on …


Fetal Attraction: A Descriptive Study Of Patterns In Fetal Abductions, Kerry E. Arquette Dec 2012

Fetal Attraction: A Descriptive Study Of Patterns In Fetal Abductions, Kerry E. Arquette

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Fetal abduction is a crime in which a perpetrator forcibly takes an unborn baby from the womb of another woman. The act is always done without the permission of the pregnant woman, is always violent, and is often deadly for the mother or baby, or both. Based upon available data, the crime of fetal abduction is rare and relatively new, but publicized incidences in the United States of America are growing, which raises the question, "Why?" In order to answer that and other questions surrounding fetal abduction it is necessary to know more about the crime and the criminals. This …


The Use Of Familial Dna Searches: A Policy Analysis, Caroline O. Moorman Dec 2012

The Use Of Familial Dna Searches: A Policy Analysis, Caroline O. Moorman

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Many cases go unsolved every day in the United States; some due to a lack of technological advancement in forensic science. When a person is killed, raped, or in danger of physical harm, it is the responsibility of law enforcement and their collaborative agencies to find and apprehend the responsible parties. The use of familial DNA searches in the United States is a relatively new investigative technique. Traditionally, DNA samples found at a crime scene are run through a national Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) to look for possible matches. When a sample does not return a positive hit, investigators …


Cold Case Homicides: An Examination Of Clearance Factors, Matthew M. Lunn Aug 2012

Cold Case Homicides: An Examination Of Clearance Factors, Matthew M. Lunn

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The killing of one individual by another is something in our culture that garners a lot of attention from the media as well as community leaders. Law enforcement agencies have a duty to find resolution to these crimes. Yet, even with the rapid growth of forensics and the technology associated with it, there are still cases that go unsolved. These cases are commonly referred to as cold case homicides. In order to evaluate whether forensic evidence or investigative technique plays a larger role in the clearance of cold case homicides, a retrospective study was conducted to examine previously solved cold …


Effective Parole Supervisor Traits Observed By Texas Parole Officers, David H. Bolding Ii Aug 2012

Effective Parole Supervisor Traits Observed By Texas Parole Officers, David H. Bolding Ii

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This research study uses a quantitative method to identify the traits that Texas parole officers observe make an effective leader. This study adds to what seems to be a void in research on parole supervisors. Prior literature has identified that numerous individual traits and observable traits play an active role in effective leaders. This study uses "Survey Monkey" to employ the use of surveys across Texas, and to ensure confidentiality. By utilizing the method in this study, effective traits can be identified and used as a tool to increase present supervisory capabilities and allow others to have a guide on …


Community Reentry Programs And Their Effect On Recidivism:: A Study Of Life Skills Clients At The Denver County Jail, Valerie M. Gantzler Aug 2012

Community Reentry Programs And Their Effect On Recidivism:: A Study Of Life Skills Clients At The Denver County Jail, Valerie M. Gantzler

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Recidivism, or repeat offending, is prevalent among misdemeanants. Their sentences are usually short and become even shorter with mandates to keep county jails from overcrowding. These misdemeanants are then released from jail and go back to the same environments they were in before. Many of these people go on to commit the same or similar crimes and end up back in jail. Jails across the U. S. have begun implementing transitional programs in the hopes that providing repeat offenders with case management, counseling, and other services might enable them to break the habit of repeat offending and make better choices …


Juvenile Risk Factors Affecting Probability Of Rearrest And Treatment Options, Susan D. Kindred Aug 2012

Juvenile Risk Factors Affecting Probability Of Rearrest And Treatment Options, Susan D. Kindred

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Studies have been conducted gaining insight into the effectiveness of making arrests and what the effects are to juvenile offense rates especially for those living in lower socioeconomic statuses. Researchers have attempted to develop new theories in order to prevent re-offending, while also analyzing offender risk factors. While individuals continue to re-offend, questions arise if an individual's socioeconomic status, or individual risk factors effect whether or not an arrest will be made for the offense committed and how it will be treated to prevent future offending. This study analyzes case studies addressing the issues of juvenile offending as it relates …


Fear Of Crime' & Media Representation Of Crime In Denver, Ryan M. Martinez Aug 2012

Fear Of Crime' & Media Representation Of Crime In Denver, Ryan M. Martinez

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This research project looks at the 'fear of crime' as a concept that is valuable to law enforcement agencies, politicians, and the public. By examining past research, it can be concluded that 'fear of crime' is often studied through the use of victimization surveys despite methodology complications. 'Fear of crime' is studied quantitatively in this project in relation to media articles from The Denver Post from 2008-2010. By performing a longitudinal case study on these incidents, comparing past qualitative research on factors relating to 'fear of crime', and using content analysis of news articles, this study examined which factor if …


Leadership Traits: An Analysis Of Perceived Leadership Qualities In Law Enforcement And Work Production, Joshua T. Hotchkiss Aug 2012

Leadership Traits: An Analysis Of Perceived Leadership Qualities In Law Enforcement And Work Production, Joshua T. Hotchkiss

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Leadership is immensely important to most organizations, and its development is a recognized key to organizational success. Leadership, as a construct, has been researched in boundless depth and has been a focal point to establishing increased productivity and success. Law enforcement has placed a special interest in developing leadership as it relates to performance, productivity and succession planning. Although leadership development is a seminal part of law enforcement objectives, it is difficult to implement clear strategies for doing so. This study examines the gap in research as it pertains to leadership traits and work production by analyzing officers' perceptions of …


Examining Sociobiological Fitness Traits In Conjunction With The General Strain Theory In Convicted Rapists, Lorinda R. Hetterle Aug 2012

Examining Sociobiological Fitness Traits In Conjunction With The General Strain Theory In Convicted Rapists, Lorinda R. Hetterle

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

The purpose of this study is to determine if sociobiological theories are useful in studying deviant behavior. Due to sociobiology being a field that has only recently been developed, there is little research regarding the overlap between criminology and sociobiology. Using forcible rape as the conduit of research, this study examined if and how sociobiology stressors contributed to the General Strain Theory. Specifically, this research answered the question, "Were sociobiological fitness stressors present in convicted rapists prior to the offense(s)?" Using secondary source data, a content analysis was performed on five separate case studies to qualitatively assess what, if any, …


Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design And Crime Rates In Apartment Settings, Robyn M. Radosevich Aug 2012

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design And Crime Rates In Apartment Settings, Robyn M. Radosevich

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This comparative study has employed qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the implications of the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) theory. Due to significant inconsistencies in prior research, the effectiveness of CPTED in reducing crime rates was examined. Research analysis has examined the elements of CPTED present at three sample apartment complexes located in a large western city and determined if the apartment settings with physical elements consistent with CPTED experienced lower crime rates. Observational qualitative data and quantitative crime rates were applied in a comparative analysis.


Perceptions Of Community-Based Advocates In Jefferson County, Colorado Concerning Intimate Partner Violence Against Women, Amanda A. Lathrop May 2012

Perceptions Of Community-Based Advocates In Jefferson County, Colorado Concerning Intimate Partner Violence Against Women, Amanda A. Lathrop

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This qualitative study explored perceptions of community-based advocates in Jefferson County, Colorado and their experience assisting victims of intimate partner violence against women. Open-ended interview questionnaires were collected from community-based advocates and used to derive the perceptions community-based advocates hold with regard to access to community resources, ability to establish social support, improve quality of life, and ultimately reduce re-abuse. Results of these perceptions were combined with and compared to previous secondary research by Deborah Bybee and Cris Sullivan. This research of victims' perceived effectiveness combined with data collected from advocates' perceived effectiveness allowed for further insight into intimate partner …


Media Bias Toward The Colorado Springs Police Department: An Analysis Of The Existence Of Bias Through Three Eras Of Police Chiefs /, Jennifer Walden Jan 2012

Media Bias Toward The Colorado Springs Police Department: An Analysis Of The Existence Of Bias Through Three Eras Of Police Chiefs /, Jennifer Walden

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Research has been conducted for decades examining bias in the media, specifically toward targeted groups and organizations such as politicians and public agencies. The intention of this study is to examine written media news stories surrounding the time period of three local police chiefs from 2001 through 2011 to determine the existence of bias toward the Colorado Springs Police Department. The research conducted during this study adds to existing research and literature which assesses the unpredictable relationship between the police department and the media. It expands on the need for a police department to utilize its public information officer and …


Animal Assisted Therapy: The Perception Of Animal Assisted Therapy Clinicians Regarding Active Participation In Treatment Therapies Of Juveniles In Detention Center Settings, Julia M. Lowe Jul 2011

Animal Assisted Therapy: The Perception Of Animal Assisted Therapy Clinicians Regarding Active Participation In Treatment Therapies Of Juveniles In Detention Center Settings, Julia M. Lowe

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Juvenile delinquent facilities have witnessed an increase in youthful offenders experiencing mental health disorders. Mental health clinicians have been required to implement new forms of mental health treatments to address the rise in this special population of juveniles. Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) has become a popular form of treatment in detention facilities. Qualitative data collection was administered using a focus group of three participants to examine clinicians' perceptions of juvenile participation during AAT. Clinicians perceived increased participation of juveniles participation in AAT. Clinicians also witnessed changes in juvenile behaviors within the detention facility, indicating juveniles participating in AAT were more …


Media Perception Of Excessive Police Force Based On Unemployment Rate: An Analysis Of Colorado Springs, Denver, And Pueblo, Jennifer Meckstroth Jul 2011

Media Perception Of Excessive Police Force Based On Unemployment Rate: An Analysis Of Colorado Springs, Denver, And Pueblo, Jennifer Meckstroth

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Excessive police force is reported in newspaper articles throughout the country on a regular basis. The purpose of this project was to determine whether the unemployment rate of a city had an effect on how the media perceives excessive police force in local newspapers. A content analysis of articles combined from Colorado Springs, Denver, and Pueblo examined the current perception of police in the media and how the unemployment rate effects how the media portrays excessive police force. The results of this study analyzed how the newspaper are analyzed the results determine whether a city with high a unemployment rate …


The Demographics Of Healthcare Fraud In South Florida, Jennifer K. Pond Jun 2011

The Demographics Of Healthcare Fraud In South Florida, Jennifer K. Pond

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Health care fraud is a large problem in this country. Experts in the field estimate that 3-10% of all health care expenditures in the United States are fraudulent (National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association, n.d., Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2009). "Financial losses due to health care fraud are estimated to range from $70 billion to a staggering $234 billion a year" (The National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association, 2010). With this problem identified, it is important to identify and isolate possible influences and factors which perpetuate this type of fraud. Using South Florida as the subject area and health care fraud as …


Medical Marijuana Centers And Urban Resident's Perception Of Crime In Their Neighborhood, Maura L. Scherrer Jun 2011

Medical Marijuana Centers And Urban Resident's Perception Of Crime In Their Neighborhood, Maura L. Scherrer

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Due to the ambiguity of constitutional amendments, multiple state legislations, and municipal ordinances, medical marijuana has become quite a contentious subject. Despite the fact that many Americans approve the use of medical marijuana, they are opposed to medical marijuana centers opening in their own neighborhoods. People are concerned about the "element" that these centers bring into their neighborhoods as a result of increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic, loitering, open display of drug usage, and the fear of organized crime; comparable to the theory of broken windows, where crime is invited into a community when the wrong element is allowed to …


Victims Of Identity Theft: Can Existing Victim Assets Mitigate The Emotional And Psychological Impact, Carolyn M. Billecci May 2011

Victims Of Identity Theft: Can Existing Victim Assets Mitigate The Emotional And Psychological Impact, Carolyn M. Billecci

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Since Sutherland coined the phrase "white-collar crime" in 1939 during his address to the American Sociological Society (Barnett, n.d.), an array of crimes now fall under that heading. In particular, the crime of identity theft is an area of great concern and the subject of this study. The first identified task in this study was to achieve an understanding of what has been learned thus far about the emotional impact of identity theft on victims. The second resided in seeking to understand if a correlation exist between assets and income, and the emotional impact felt by identity theft victims. The …


Prescription Drug Abuse And Diversion Increase With Age, Don Wunderlin Apr 2011

Prescription Drug Abuse And Diversion Increase With Age, Don Wunderlin

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This study conducted a secondary analysis of quantitative data collected from 2005 through 2009 from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The study found that prescription drug abuse and diversion from 2005 through 2009 showed an increasing usage, which is dependent upon age and drug category. While those aged 18-25 demonstrated higher nonmedical use of prescription drugs for three drug categories, those aged 50 and older were determined to have a higher usage in only one drug category. Overall the study determined that after age 50 nonmedical use of prescription drug and therefore diversion begins to drop significantly …


Mission Statement Content And Prevalence Among Local Police Departments And Sheriffs' Offices, Gwendolyn L. Pascoe Apr 2010

Mission Statement Content And Prevalence Among Local Police Departments And Sheriffs' Offices, Gwendolyn L. Pascoe

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

This descriptive study uses grounded theory approach to investigate the prevalence and content of mission statements among United States local police departments and sheriffs' offices that employ less than 25 sworn personnel. Mixed method research analysis identified the prevalence of mission statements as well as the content and characteristics of mission statement. Mission statements were analyzed with no a priori assumptions, standards, or coding schema. From this study it was found that 80 (37.21%) of the study's sample law enforcement agencies (N = 215) have mission statements that were located through this study's web search and agency participation. The analysis …