Digital Commons Network^™

The Nonprofit Sector's Involvement In Prisoner Reentry : A Mixed Methods Analysis, Michael Jay Woods

Public Affairs Theses - Archive

The 1990's were plagued with crime and high recidivism rates, and the State of Texas responded by embarking upon the largest expansion of a criminal justice system in its history. Having served their sentences, record numbers of offenders who were sent to prison in the 1990's are now flooding the streets. At the time of their release, some of these offenders will have unmet needs, such as a lack of food, housing, and clothing. Others may need help enrolling in school or finding a job. Whatever their needs, a host of nonprofit organizations stand ready to assist ex-offenders in their …

A Leopard’S Tail: The Life And Work Of Alice Nderitu Of Kenya, Stephanie Chiu

Kroc IPJ Research and Resources

In the following pages, you will find narrative stories about a Woman PeaceMaker, along with additional information to provide a deep understanding of a contemporary conflict and one person’s journey within it. These complementary components include a brief biography of the peacemaker, a historical summary of the conflict, a timeline integrating political developments in the country with personal history of the peacemaker, a question-and-answer transcript of select interviews, and a table of best practices in peacebuilding as demonstrated and reflected on by the peacemaker during her time at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice.

A commissioner in …

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration: Pertaining To Public Safety And Homeland Security, Benjamin Martin Ogden

Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Projects

Despite the efforts of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, United States Government, Armed Forces, and other law enforcement agencies, illegal drug uses continues to be a major issue. The direct connection between illicit drugs and terrorism, specifically in Afghanistan, poses a major threat to America along with the effects these drugs have on public health. In order to continue to successfully counter illegal drug trafficking and abuse in the United States it is essential to bolster numerous aspects of the Drug Enforcement Administration its efforts. This includes management, public-private partnerships, and critical infrastructure protection. It is also necessary for …

A Local Approach: Homeland Security Officers, Erik Grutzner

Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Projects

It has become apparent that true preparedness for a catastrophic event requires a strong local component. However, the patchwork of full and part time operators in a range of disciplines preparing for a variety of responsibilities creates the risk of an inexact or inefficient response. As a result, this document will support the idea that in order to improve the level of preparedness of municipalities, one full time police officer should be assigned to the newly created position of Homeland Security Officer (HSO), and be tasked with all manner of responsibilities for the most effective example of homeland security.

This …

Mamaroneck Ems And The Continuity Of Operations: Homeland Security On A Local Level, Samantha M. Gagliardi

Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Projects

The definition of homeland security and all that it encompasses has been an ongoing discussion since the events of 9/11. As a homeland security professional it has become clear to me that homeland security is not only a federal obligation, but a local priority as well. All events are local and the government cannot be solely responsible for the preparation, response, and resilience of each individual community. The Village of Mamaroneck is a small jurisdiction approximately 30 miles from New York City. The prime threat this Village has faced is inclement weather and severe flooding due to the multiple floodplains …

Fighting Narcoterrorism: A Counter Narcotic Approach To Homeland Security, Nicholas Levesque

Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Projects

The use of illicit drugs in the United States can be looked at as a homeland security concern for many reasons. The illicit drug trade challenges the security of our borders, fuels crime in many of our communities and when illicit drugs are abused by individuals, they can become unproductive members of society. This loss of productivity can be attributed to healthcare concerns, incarceration and the burden placed on the rest of society to make up for the loss. Terrorist organizations like Al-Qaeda have shown involvement in the illicit drug trade and use it as a means of funding their …

New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Terrorist Financing & Drug Trafficking Strategy, Danielle Morita O'Mara

Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Projects

My Masters Project focuses around the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (NY/NJ HIDTA). Narco-terrorism has become a significant issue for the safety and security of the United States. Terrorist financing also plays a significant role in the war on terror. I chose to create a three part strategy for the NY/NJ HIDTA that will combat both narco-terrorism and terrorist financing. Each chapter describes another detailed plan of how the NY/NJ HIDTA, as well as particular agencies within, combat these issues in attempt to keep our nation secure. My Masters Project was carefully constructed with a strong focus …

Continuity Of Operations: A Strategy To Secure The Nation, Matthew J. Cassidy

Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Projects

The sharing of power and responsibilities between the individual states and the federal government is detailed in the US Constitution and is called federalism. Research has indicated that the shift of power between the states and federal government has waxed and waned over the last 236 years. This qualitative study is based upon literature review of the relationships of local, state, and federal governments in responding to catastrophes. Each level of government brings unique capabilities to the response to catastrophic events. There is no need to usurp federalism in order to survive the next catastrophe; it is going to take …

A Multifaceted Approach To Management And Homeland Security For The 21st Century, Vincent Antonecchia

Master in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals Master's Projects

This master’s thesis is a compilation of "short stories" which share one common theme, the immediate and long-term protection, preservation and prosperity of my country, the United States of America. I embarked on this journey to obtain a Master of Arts in Management and Homeland Security because I am truly concerned about my children’s future, the future of the United States of America, and the future of the world as a whole. On September 11, 2001, the world caught a glimpse of true evil and witnessed death and destruction as it was carried out by focused and motivated enemies.

I …

Best Outcomes For Indian Children, Loa L. Porter, Patina Park Zink, Angela R. Gebhardt, Mark Ells, Michelle Graef

Center on Children, Families, and the Law: Faculty Publications

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families and the Midwest Child Welfare Implementation Center are collaborating with Wisconsin's tribes and county child welfare agencies to improve outcomes for Indian children by systemically implementing the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act (WICWA).This groundbreaking coUaboration wiU increase practitioners' understanding ofthe requirements of WICWA and the need for those requirements, enhance communication and coordination between all stakeholders responsible for the welfare of Indian children in Wisconsin; it is designed to effect the systemic integration of the philosophical underpinnings of WICWA.

In December 2009, Governor James Doyle signed the Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act, signaling …

Play Fair With Recidivists, Richard Dagger

Political Science Faculty Publications

Retributivists thus face a difficult challenge. Either we must go against the social grain, and perhaps our own intuitions, by insisting that a criminal offense carry the same penalty or punishment no matter how many previous convictions an offender has accrued; or we must find a way to justify the recidivist premium. I shall take the second route here by arguing that recidivism itself is a kind of criminal offense. In developing this argument, I shall rely on Youngjae Lee's insightful analysis of "recidivism as omission." I shall complement his analysis, however, by grounding it in a conception of criminal …

State Homeland Security : Variation And Patterns Among The U.S. States, Lisa N. Sacco

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This dissertation examines the homeland security organizations of the 50 states, and describes what systems the states have created for homeland security policy and structure. The purpose of this dissertation is to determine how each state homeland security organization was developed, describe each organization, and ascertain if patterns of homeland security have emerged among the states. This descriptive study also uncovers philosophical differences in the states' interpretation of homeland security.

Mothers In Prison: Maintaining Connections With Children, Sylvia Mignon, Paige Ransford

Publications from the Center for Women in Politics and Public Policy

The significant increase in the number of incarcerated women ensures that many children must live without their mothers for some period of time. Women in prison were interviewed about their efforts to maintain relationships with their children. Mail and telephone contacts were more frequent than actual visits. Almost one half of mothers had never received a visit from their children. This article identifies challenges to the development and maintenance of contact between incarcerated mothers and their children. Recommendations are made for correctional agencies to enhance opportunities for incarcerated mothers to foster positive connections with their children.

The Perceived Effectiveness Of Container Security At Seaports Along The Gulf Coast, William Augustus Neely

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With approximately 90% of the world's goods shipped via cargo containers, it is vital for the security of these containers to be complete and effective. However, given the volume of containers transiting U.S. seaports, the task of providing complete security is complicated and, arguably, impossible. Nevertheless, the data analyzed throughout this study indicates that the current container security paradigm can be enhanced to accommodate the significant workload. The research conducted throughout this study provided perceptions that were indicative of a security environment that can be and must be improved. More specifically, the data revealed that the biggest threat facing containers …

Can Representativeness Decrease Youth Violence In Juvenile Detention Facilities?, Ginger Silvera

CGU Theses & Dissertations

Using the theory on Representative Bureaucracy, this study considers the minority representative role, which suggests that administrators who are minorities are more inclined to represent minority interests. This study examined whether officers perceive themselves as advocates based on shared demographics and whether they develop attitudes toward reducing youth violence. Considerably more researchers conduct studies in adult prisons than juvenile correctional facilities, which focus on rehabilitation for youth. Therefore, this study further examines youth correctional staff attitudes toward inmates. The way correctional officers' treat minors may impact the amount of violence in juvenile detention facilities.

The purposes of the study are …

Manning Up: A Look At Women In The Military And Their Sense Of Self, Kari Elizabeth Davis

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to uncover identity shaping in women of the military. I interviewed eleven women from various branches of the military to uncover changes in their sense of self, emotion management, and role person merge. Six of these my respondents were deployed to combat zones. The women of this study went to basic training and learned how to be a soldier. They go through a process of "manning up" where they leave behind prior behaviors and beliefs and display a masculine front in order to be successful in their military careers. They also demonstrate a role …

The Nonprofit Sector's Involvement In Prisoner Reentry : A Mixed Methods Analysis, Michael Jay Woods

Public Affairs Theses - Archive

The 1990's were plagued with crime and high recidivism rates, and the State of Texas responded by embarking upon the largest expansion of a criminal justice system in its history. Having served their sentences, record numbers of offenders who were sent to prison in the 1990's are now flooding the streets. At the time of their release, some of these offenders will have unmet needs, such as a lack of food, housing, and clothing. Others may need help enrolling in school or finding a job. Whatever their needs, a host of nonprofit organizations stand ready to assist ex-offenders in their …

Public Safety Networks – Examining Mimetic, Complexity, And Legacy Effects On Interorganizational Collaborations, Martin A. Dias

2012

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine information systems-enabled interorganizational collaborations called public safety networks – their proliferation, information systems architecture, and technology evolution. These networks face immense pressures from member organizations, external stakeholders, and environmental contingencies. This dissertation investigates the role of three effects on these networks - the effect of peers in network proliferation, the effect of environmental and organizational complexity on their information systems, and the effect of legacy systems on capability scale and scope. Better understanding the conditions associated with network proliferation will assist decision-makers in assessing appropriate partnering opportunities. Better understanding the nature of …

The Latino Community In Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile, Ann Curry-Stevens, Amanda Cross-Hemmer, Coalition Of Communities Of Color

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

Our report, "The Latino Community in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile" uncovers an array of racial inequities across the systems of income, employment, education, juvenile justice, corrections, child welfare, philanthropic giving, housing, immigration, research practices (particularly population measurement), wealth, health, health insurance coverage, racial harassment, public service and voter registration. These systems maintain our second-class status and serve to limit our current well being and the prospects for a bright future for our children.

Can Drug Court Results Be Predicted? Completion And Termination Of Drug Court Participants, Christopher D. Geisler

MPA/MPP/MPFM Capstone Projects

The substantial growth in Kentucky’s prison population since the 1980s has resulted in increased spending on corrections, both the total amount and as a percentage of total general fund spending. The sustained growth in corrections spending combined with shrinking budgetary realities has created an incentive to explore ways to reduce costs without compromising public safety. Community supervision programs are one alternative to addressing this problem. They are an attractive approach to dealing with certain types of criminals because the cost is significantly lower than incarceration. Drug courts are an example of community supervision that allows drug offenders to avoid imprisonment …

Heil Studies Terrorism, Sex Trafficking In U.S, Aldemaro Romero Jr.

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Talking Circles For Adolescent Girls In An Urban High School: A Restorative Practices Program For Building Friendships And Developing Emotional Literacy Skills, Martha Ann Schumacher

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

TALKING CIRCLES FOR ADOLESCENT GIRLS

IN AN URBAN HIGH SCHOOL: A RESTORATIVE PRACTCES' PROGRAM FOR BUILDING FRIENDHIPS AND DEVELOPING

EMOTIONAL LITERACY SKILLS

by

MARTHA ANN SCHUMACHER

DECEMBER 2012

ADVISOR: Dr. Loraleigh Keashly

MAJOR: Communication

DEGREE: Doctor of Philosophy

Restorative Practices and Restorative Justice programs in schools are a new and emerging field. Meeting in Circles to build community, resolve conflict, and learn interactively are core components of these programs. This ethnographic study, which took place February 2010 to December 2011, evaluates 12 small, out-of-classroom Talking Circles for 60 adolescent girls as part of a Restorative Practices program in an …

“It’S All Political, But Public Policy Is Irrational”, Jaquelyn King

Pepperdine Policy Review

No abstract provided.

January Roundtable: Crime And Human Rights In Brazil: The Police Pacification Units, Introduction, Claudia Fuentes Julio

Human Rights & Human Welfare

An annotation of:

“Brazil slum raids impress, but what's the impact?” By Bradley Brooks. Huffington Post, November 14, 2011.

Managing Expectations When Measuring Philanthropic Impact: A Framework Based On Experience, Frank Ridzi

The Foundation Review

· In order to achieve more targeted community change than possible in conventional grantmaking, foundations have developed a portfolio of activities ranging from capacity building to venture and catalytic philanthropy.

· Key to each of these approaches is a desire for meaningful impact. Yet, funders across the nation express dissatisfaction with their ability to prove or demonstrate impact.

· Conversations with colleagues and personal experience suggest that part of this dissatisfaction is due to a disconnect between the expectations of board members, donors, staff, and participants on one hand and what is actually feasible to measure on the other.

· …

Practice, Practice, Practice: Preliminary Findings From An Evidence-Based Practice Funding Initiative At The Peter And Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation, Nicholas G. Randell

The Foundation Review

· The Tower Foundation supported a five-year initiative to support the implementation of evidencebased practices (EBP). The average award was a three-year award of $84,050.

· The underlying grantmaking theory of change was that behavioral health providers could bring empirically tested protocols to their communities and sustain them over time if supported by long-term funding to support the real costs of implementation (e.g., training, technical assistance, adherence to program protocols, and cultural change).

· Grantees cited the high cost of training, certification, and recertification – especially in the face of high staff turnover – as a primary challenge to implementing …

Problem Behaviours, Traditional Bullying And Cyberbullying Among Adolescents: Longitudinal Analyses, Leanne Lester, Donna Cross, Therese Shaw

Research outputs 2012

Problem Behaviour Theory suggests that young people's problem behaviours tend to cluster. This study examined the relationship between traditional bullying, cyberbullying and engagement in problem behaviours using longitudinal data from approximately 1500 students. Levels of traditional victimisation and perpetration at the beginning of secondary school (grade 8, age 12) predicted levels of engagement in problem behaviours at the end of grade 9 (age 14). Levels of victimisation and perpetration were found to moderate each other's associations with engagement in problem behaviours. Cyberbullying did not represent an independent risk factor over and above levels of traditional victimisation and perpetration for higher …

Citizen 2.0: Public And Governmental Interaction Through Web 2.0 Technologies (Preface), Kathryn Kolby, Maria J. D'Agostino

Publications and Research

Preface to Citizen 2.0: Public and Governmental Interaction Through Web 2.0 Technologies

Challenging Technicism: Space For The Individual Bureaucrat In Public Administration Theory And Practice, Nicole M. Elias

Publications and Research

Participation in PAT-Net 2011 led me to rethink some basic assumptions surrounding public administration theory and what constitutes knowledge in public administration scholarship and practice. My reflection responds to the major questions posed during the Ph.D. Student Workshop on "Writing Theory in a Technicist Field": specifically, why a technicist attitude is so pervasive in a democratic society and what alternatives have been posited for confronting technicism to advance theoretical and critical scholarship.

Leveraging Learning To Improve Disaster Management Outcomes, Denise D. P. Thompson

Publications and Research

Disaster management agencies should be exemplars of learning given the volatility of their operating environment. However, there are cognitive, social, and organizational barriers that prevent these organizations from learning. The purpose of this article is to use the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) as an example of an organization that achieves double-loop learning in spite of known barriers. This research shows significant learning variations in the CDEMA organization from the regional to the national level. The results demonstrate that the CDEMA Coordinating Unit and a few national member agencies achieve double-loop learning, while the opposite is true for …