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Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons™
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Articles 1 - 4 of 4
Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Johnny Cash: The Criminologist Within, Patrick Gerkin, Aaron Rider, John Hewitt
Johnny Cash: The Criminologist Within, Patrick Gerkin, Aaron Rider, John Hewitt
Patrick Gerkin
This paper examines the criminological underpinnings of song lyrics in the collection of Johnny Cash. We have examined the lyrics of 60 songs performed by Johnny Cash (although not necessarily written by Cash) that reflect on issues including crime, prison, chain gangs, the death penalty, and redemption. Using a content analysis of these lyrics, we examined Cash’s criminological view of crime and punishment. While not versed in criminological theory, Cash nonetheless sang eloquently of a rational choice model of crime in which offenders accepted responsibility for their acts, punishment was justified, and yet incarceration should be humane and rehabilitative.
Methamphetamine Use And Criminal Behavior, Michael Gizzi, Patrick Gerkin
Methamphetamine Use And Criminal Behavior, Michael Gizzi, Patrick Gerkin
Patrick Gerkin
This research seeks to broaden our understanding of methamphetamine’s (meth’s) place within the study of drugs and crime. Through extensive court records research and interviews with 200 offenders in local jails in western Colorado, this research contributes to the creation of a meth user profile and begins to identify the place of meth in the drug—crime nexus. The study compares the criminal behavior of meth users with other drug users, finding that meth users are more likely than other drug users to be drunk or high at the time of arrest and claim their crimes were related to drug use …
Participation In Victim-Offender Mediation: Lessons Learned From Observations, Patrick Gerkin
Participation In Victim-Offender Mediation: Lessons Learned From Observations, Patrick Gerkin
Patrick Gerkin
Victim—offender mediation has grown to establish itself among criminal justice practices as an alternative to traditionally retributive notions of justice. As the number of programs claiming to be restorative in nature continues to grow, victim—offender mediation programs are emerging as one of the state's preferred delivery methods for restorative justice. Restorative practices, including victim—offender mediation, are inclusive practices. Participation is not only encouraged, it is a necessary element for victim—offender mediation to achieve restorative outcomes. Through the use of observations and content analysis of agreements produced in victim—offender mediation, this research uncovers several impediments to individual participation, including problems in …
Injustice For All: A State Crime Of Omission Beneath The Steps Of The United States Capitol, Patrick Gerkin, Lauren Teal, Linda Reinstein
Injustice For All: A State Crime Of Omission Beneath The Steps Of The United States Capitol, Patrick Gerkin, Lauren Teal, Linda Reinstein
Patrick Gerkin
This research examines a state crime of omission by members of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol. These crimes were perpetrated against a group of employees charged with maintaining the underground utility tunnels beneath the United States Capitol. Through a secondary analysis of congressional testimony; citations and documents issued by the Office of Compliance; medical records; and various media accounts of the events, this research seeks to examine the perpetrators’ actions as a state crime of omission and offer a theoretical explanation. Our findings suggest the actions and inactions of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, …