Digital Commons Network^™

Officers On Patrol: Perspectives Of An Arrest On Past And Present Law Enforcement Officers, Shanee N. Ellington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

While attempting to apprehend suspects, police officers must contend with complex obstacles arising from the arrest's legal, ethical, and sociopolitical context. Officers had to follow their department’s guidelines while also developing legal procedures when carrying out an arrest. The study focused on how an officer’s perception of arrest decisions and procedures encapsulated challenges and ethical dilemmas. Through a semi-structured interview with twenty respondents, this research explored the implications of arresting behaviors on officers’ professional identity formation and development. The data analysis followed the grounded theory approach, which focused on identifying differences and similarities between former and current officers over time. …

From Retaliation To Restoration: Evaluating Norwegian Prison Rehabilitation Models For United States Integration, Lucas I. Abbott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study evaluates the viability of implementing Norwegian rehabilitative frameworks within the American prison system by gathering the perspectives of formerly incarcerated men in the United States. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, the research sought to understand how American offenders perceive Norwegian normalization techniques, such as single-occupancy rooms, humane architectural environments, respectful inmate-officer relationships, and their potential to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. Fifteen participants who had served a minimum of three weeks in correctional institutions completed open-ended questionnaires analyzed through conceptual content analysis. Findings revealed strong support for individualized rooms, normalized environments, and increased positive human interaction as transformative …

Editorial

Indian Journal of Law and Technology

No abstract provided.

The Evidence Machine: Rethinking Admissibility And Privacy In India's Ai Surveillance State, Samyukta Ramaswamy

Indian Journal of Law and Technology

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (‘AI’) surveillance technologies that utilise machine learning (‘ML’) capabilities to gather and process information to derive insights about individuals has transformed the surveillance landscape by enabling governments and private entities to engage in increasingly pervasive monitoring and data-driven profiling. In India, this transformation is compounded by the presence of executive-controlled surveillance mechanisms under the legal framework of the Telecommunications Act 2023, the Telecommunications (Procedures and Safeguards for Lawful Interception of Messages) Rules 2024, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023, amongst others, which authorises wide-ranging data interception and dragnet surveillance while exempting government agencies …

The Right-Wing’S Dirty War Against History And Education: Beyond The Politics Of Disappearance, Henry A. Giroux

Fast Capitalism

The past haunts the present moment because it increasingly offers terrifying narratives and images of what Walter Benjamin once called “a catastrophe that keeps piling ruin upon ruin.”1 The catastrophe to which Benjamin refers is the ghost of fascism and its irrepressible ability to reappear in different forms at certain moments in history. At the present time, memory and catastrophe have merged as past images that flash before us, signaling danger and suggesting that the current era is a “state of emergency” that is no longer “the exception but the rule.”2

Circumscribing Alaskan Law Enforcement’S Access To Pretrial Electronic Monitoring Location Data, Rosa Gibson

Alaska Law Review

In Alaska, pretrial detainees comprise much of the state’s prison population. Electronic monitoring—made possible by recent bail reforms—provides a pathway to pretrial release for those who cannot afford to pay bail. Using GPS data, the Pretrial Enforcement Division can monitor the location of a releasee’s ankle monitor for supervisory purposes. But when law enforcement seeks warrantless access to that data to investigate crimes other than the one for which a releasee is awaiting trial, that intrusion raises concerns under Alaska’s constitutional right to privacy. This Note argues that the Alaska judiciary, which is best positioned to guard the privacy of …

What Can Legal Knowledge Do For Access To Justice?, Kathryne M. Young, Heidi H. Liu

Duke Law Journal

Worker misclassification is one of the most pervasive and harmful civil justice problems in the U.S. The inaccurate and illegal categorization of workers as independent contractors costs U.S. workers billions of dollars annually in overtime pay and health benefits—a problem that has become even more pervasive with the expansion of the gig economy.

Yet, worker misclassification is only one dimension of the broader “access to justice crisis” in the United States—the unsolved legal problems and unmet legal needs that touch most people’s lives and livelihoods at many points, but especially impact low-income people and people of color. These legal issues …

Disparities In School Discipline For Middle And High Schools In Shelby County Schools And Surrounding Suburban Municipalities, Robert Arnold

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This study explores how the use of proactive and reactive discipline strategies, as contained in schools’ student handbooks and codes of conduct, are related to school and neighborhood characteristics. The neighborhood and school level characteristics consist of urbanicity, socioeconomic need, racial composition, attendance rates, suspension rates, and academic performance. The total sample consists of 93 middle and high schools in the Shelby County School District (the most populous urban district in Tennessee) and its surrounding suburban municipal districts of Bartlett, Millington, Collierville, Arlington, Lakeland and Germantown. The geospatial analysis and logistic regression analysis reveal that proactive discipline approaches and alternatives …

A Comparative Analysis Of Eyewitness Testimony Accuracy: Victims Versus Bystanders, Allyson Phillips

The Confluence

Eyewitness testimony is a vital yet fallible component of the criminal justice system. This study investigates differences in eyewitness testimony accuracy between two witness types: victims and bystanders, adding to the scarce literature regarding the subject. Participants were assigned to either the Victim or Bystander Group and participated in a memory test. During the memory test, a staged intruder entered the room and stole either a gift card belonging to the participant (Victim Group) or me (Bystander Group). Following the theft, participants were given an eyewitness testimony survey and photo lineup to assess their memory of the theft and intruder. …

The Right To A Fair Trial In International Law And African Experiences, John Mukum Mbaku

Georgia Journal of International & Comparative Law

A country’s system for the administration of justice significantly impacts the rights and lives of its inhabitants, which may include citizens, nationals, and temporary residents (e.g., refugees, asylum seekers, religious pilgrims, and other travelers in transit). A robust and fair system for the administration of justice is an important element of the rule of law and serves as a guard against impunity in general and the abuse of human rights and fundamental freedoms in particular. Such a robust system for the administration of justice is especially important for the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups (e.g., women and girls, …

Urgent Expertise, Explored Together: A Scholarly Communication Peer-Mentoring Group, Alex Crowley, Lily Susman, Rosemary Farrell, Michael Kahn, Caroline Jedlicka, Eric Silberberg, Michelle Ehrenpreis, Marta Bladek, Jill Cirasella

Urban Library Journal

In Spring 2025, the authors participated in a structured peer-mentoring program designed to deepen their knowledge of scholarly communication topics and issues. In this article, based on our panel at the 2025 LACUNY Institute, we share our perspectives on the program and discuss how current events are making scholarly communication expertise more essential than ever.

Psychological Experiences Of Law Enforcement Officers Responding To Critical Incidents Alone And With A Partner, Lydia Abernethy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The role of law enforcement officers is to restore peace and safety when chaos occurs, which can be life-threatening and stressful as officers respond to the critical incidents unfolding. For this study, a qualitative approach and phenomenological framework were utilized to gain insight into the first-hand psychological experiences of officers responding to critical incidents. Police officers work in demanding environments that can lead to mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Peer support and communication among coworkers have emerged as a potentially important factor, as officers would share traumatic events with other officers. Therefore, my research focused …

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Adaptable Psychopathic Traits: Military And Para-Military Organizations, Mariana Ramirez

Student Theses

Although culturally distinct, both military and law enforcement careers demand individuals to operate effectively in high-risk environments; a characteristic shaped through processes of military and para-military occupational socialization, reinforced by an adaptable personality. Understanding the distinctions between military and law enforcement cultures provides a foundation for examining individual-level factors such as personality, behavior, and mental health. Recent research (e.g. Anestis et al., 2019; Batastini et al., 2023; Falkenbach et al., 2017; Falkenbach et al., 2018; McKinley & Verona, 2023; Patton et al., 2018; Preston et al., 2020; Roșca et al., 2021) has increasingly applied a psychopathic framework to study these …

The Regulation Of Technological Innovation In Financial Services: A Comparative Approach With Respect To Digital Assets And Artificial Intelligence, Howell E. Jackson, Katja Langenbucher

Law and Contemporary Problems

No abstract provided.

Exploring Juvenile Justice System Social Workers’ Dual Role Conflicts, Tayler Janet Deggendorfer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Social workers working within the juvenile justice system face challenges in managing dual roles of providing social support for clients in a punitive environment of incarceration. The problem that was explored in this study is the ethical and practical dilemmas of dual roles for social workers—specifically the potential for burnout and mental health injury for social workers who work within the parameters of both roles. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of a selected criterion sample of social workers. The study was framed by Goffman’s role theory. Oral narrative data were collected …

“No Ifs, Ands, Or Butts”: Analyzing Race And Gender In Sex And The City Through Black Feminist Theory, Daniella Orias

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

This article analyzes Season 3, Episode 5 of Sex and the City, “No Ifs, Ands, or Butts,” through the lens of Black feminist theory. It investigates how race and gender are constructed, stereotyped, and selectively represented within the episode’s narrative. The analysis focuses on two Black characters who were featured only in one episode of the series, Adeena and Chivon, and examines how the show portrays harmful stereotypes such as the angry Black woman (Adeena) and sexualized Black male (Chivon) in the episode. These limited and harmful representations are further scrutinized by the fact that the show is often …

Decision In Art. 78 Proceeding - Dones, Juan (2025-10-24)

Decisions in Art. 78 Proceedings

No abstract provided.

When Peace Turns To Panic: Crime News Stories On 3 Memphis 10 P.M. Broadcast Television Newscasts After The 2023 Tyre Nichols Killing, Robert Owen Watson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

This study analyzed crime news coverage in Memphis 10 p.m. newscasts two years following the 2023 Tyre Nichols killing. Nichols was killed by Memphis police officers after a traffic stop resulting in criminal charges and substantial news coverage from local television stations. Results of this study indicated that despite public calls for reform, local news sustained traditional patterns of news reporting emphasizing violent crime, law enforcement voices, and heavy exposure with little increased inclusion of community voices or systemic context.

Landworks Evaluation 1 April 2024 To 31 March 2025: Generating A Harm Reduction And Desistance Community, Patricia Gray, Julie Parsons

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

This year, LandWorks has experienced both highs and profound challenges. In July 2024, LandWorks won the Overall Award for Excellence at the Charity Awards — the most prestigious awards scheme in the charity sector. The judges highlighted LandWorks’ greatest achievement as “the way it built trust with its trainees and helped them rebuild their lives by understanding the experiences that led to their criminal behaviour in the first place.” Staff, trainees, and graduates were deeply proud of this recognition, which serves as a national endorsement of LandWorks’ accomplishments since its establishment in 2013. Alongside this success, the past twelve months …

Considering What Counts: Are Urban Homicide Rates Rising Or Falling?, Joel Best, Keith R. Johnson

Numeracy

Recent commentary has featured a debate over whether urban homicide rates are rising or falling. This debate illustrates the complexities of trying to convey the significance of statistical data.

Teaching Numeracy For Social Justice: Educational Equity, Esther Isabelle Wilder, Crystal C. Rodriguez, Caterina Shost, Eduardo Vianna, Frank Wang

Numeracy

The special collection, “Teaching Numeracy for Social Justice: Educational Equity,” focuses on how quantitative reasoning (QR) can function as a vehicle for equity, empowerment, and democratic participation. Building on a longstanding tradition that treats numeracy as inseparable from social justice, these contributions highlight how progressive pedagogies (e.g., active learning, authentic research, and equity-oriented assessment) have the potential to broaden access for students historically excluded from quantitative fields. The studies span a variety of conceptual frameworks, introductory and advanced quantitative instruction, and interdisciplinary applications, showcasing how inclusive QR practices can build confidence, agency, and real-world understanding. These articles demonstrate that when …

Reconnect Or Disconnect?: Using Technology To Address Loneliness And Social Isolation For Aging Adults And Its Regulation, Laura C. Hoffman

Akron Law Review

No abstract provided.

Review Of Injustice At The Intersections: Race, Gender, Class, And Criminal, Yudu Li

Open Educational Resources - Reviews

No abstract provided.

School Social Workers’ Perceptions Of The Effectiveness Of The Strategies Used To Reduce The Dropout Rates Of African American High School Male Students, Tawanda Mclaurin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The problem investigated in this study was that approximately 34% of African American male students had dropped out of high school in an urban public school district in the Northern United States. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore school social workers’ perceptions of the effectiveness of strategies used to reduce dropout rates among African American male high school students. Purposive sampling was used to recruit 10 school social workers from one urban public school district who worked with African American male students at risk of dropping out. Data was collected …

Food Insecurity. A Factor In Criminal Behavior?, Jerrod Brown, Jeremiah Schimp, Leanne Skehan, Janina Cich

Nutritional Neurocriminology Today

This article examines how food insecurity and limited access to nutritionally adequate foods impair cognitive function, emotional regulation, decision-making, and impulse control. Emerging research purports that individuals experiencing food insecurity face increased risks of mental and physical health problems, violent behavior, delinquency, heightened childhood vulnerability, and criminal justice involvement across the lifespan. The article advocates for increased awareness, routine screening, and specialized training for professionals in mental health, social services, and the criminal justice system to address food insecurity, thereby supporting long-term policy and community-level strategies that reduce criminal behavior and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Coworkers' Lived Experiences Of Being Exposed To Healthcare Professionals Misusing Substances, Juratu Garuba-Agbebaku

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the harm of substances, coworkers in hospitals, healthcare facilities, and urgent care centers found themselves among healthcare professionals who misused substances such as alcohol and prescription medication. Grounded in social cognitive theory, the purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of coworkers who have been exposed to healthcare professionals’ substance misuse. The participants consisted of 12 healthcare professionals working in various hospitals, healthcare facilities, and urgent care centers in the United States. Data were collected using semistructured interviews. Through Colaizzi’s seven-step analysis, five themes emerged: (a) emotional experiences, (b) ethical reflections, (c) cognitive …

Teaching Students How To Access The World: Information Fluency Modules In World Criminal Justice Systems Courses, Grace Allbaugh, Chad M. Kahl, Dawn Beichner

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

This presentation discusses a long-term collaboration between Milner Library and the Department of Criminal Justices Sciences to bring information fluency training to students in CJS 369: World Criminal Justice Systems. Learn how it has changed from pen and paper, responded to COVID, and where it's at now.

Good For This Day And This Day Only: A Study On Changes In Court Personnel, Precedent, And Judicial Legitimacy, Daniel Kiel

University of Memphis Law Review

The watershed discarding of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization1 predictably included a discussion of the role of stare decisis. After deciding that the Constitution does not protect the right to make decisions about abortion, the Court considered whether stare decisis counseled leaving Roe in place to protect the integrity of the legal process.2 In this discussion, the majority cited Payne v. Tennessee,3 a fairly obscure 1991 case regarding the admissibility of victim impact evidence in death penalty sentencing hearings.4 In Payne, the Court abandoned several recent precedents, concluding that “[s]tare decisis …

The Rule Of Law's Lack Of Rules, James Bernstein

University of Memphis Law Review

This Article critiques the reliance on judge-made standards by the Supreme Court, arguing that such standards, while flexible and comprehensive, create significant challenges in application, particularly in lower courts. Standards, characterized by broad and adaptable language, grant judges considerable discretion, often resulting in inconsistent and unworkable outcomes. This phenomenon contributes to what Ran Hirschl terms “juristocracy,” where the judiciary exerts considerable influence over significant social, political, and economic issues, often due to implied deference from other branches of government. The analysis highlights the operational difficulties standards pose, especially the lack of objective criteria, which can lead to judicial misapplication and …