Book Review: Tracers In The Dark: The Global Hunt For The Crime Lords Of Cryptocurrency, Marion Jones

International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence & Cybercrime

Doubleday released Andy Greenberg’s Tracers in the Dark: The Global Hunt for the Crime Lords of Cryptocurrency in November 2022. Through vivid case studies of global criminal investigations, the book dispels myths about the anonymizing power of cryptocurrency. The book details how the ability to identify cryptocurrency users and payment methods successfully brought down several large criminal empires, while also highlighting the continuous cat-and-mouse game between law enforcement officials and criminal actors using cryptocurrency. The book is an excellent resource for law enforcement officials, academics, and general cybersecurity practitioners interested in cryptocurrency-related criminal activities and law enforcement techniques.

The Need For A Cybersecurity Education Program For Internet Users With Limited English Proficiency: Results From A Pilot Study, Fawn T. Ngo, Rustu Deryol, Brian Turnbull, Jack Drobisz

International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence & Cybercrime

According to security experts, cybersecurity education and awareness at the user level are key in combating cybercrime. Hence, in the U.S., cybersecurity and Internet safety workshops, classes, and resources targeting children, adolescents, adults, and senior citizens abound. However, most cybercrime prevention programs are only available in English, thus, ignoring a substantial proportion of Internet users and potential cybercrime victims—Internet users with limited English proficiency (LEP). Yet, successfully combating cybercrime requires that all computer and Internet users, regardless of their language abilities and skills, have access to pertinent cybersecurity information and resources to protect themselves online. This paper presents the results …

Navigating The Digital Frontier: The Intersection Of Cybersecurity Challenges And Young Adult Life, Hannarae Lee

International Journal of Cybersecurity Intelligence & Cybercrime

Papers from this issue advocate for empowering young adults with knowledge and tools to navigate cyberspace safely, emphasizing the necessity of heightened cybersecurity measures and proactive education. As we advance into the digital abyss, this call becomes imperative, ensuring that the young adults' experience remains a journey of growth and enlightenment, unaffected by the shadows of unseen online threats.

Opening The Juvenile Recidivism Umbrella Sold By Residential Treatment, Jack Lutz

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Juveniles, especially in a residential treatment facility fall into the classification of vulnerable population. Researchers, review boards, and the facility administrator carry the burden of ensuring ethics are to the highest standard when this population is involved, so stakeholders can make accurate decisions. Cognitive-based models, which is an evidence-based practice, have been around since the 1990’s. This form of practice has gone through a process of implementation into juvenile residential facilities and has helped reduce the recidivism rate for this population. Budget proposals follow a series of steps, checks, and revisions before taking effect. Probation and Parole is an agency …

Juvenile Hate Crimes And Identity-Based Bullying: A Comprehensive Analysis, Peter Efon Elad

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Abstract

This paper examines juvenile hate crimes and identity-based bullying within the criminal justice system (CJS), proposing leadership strategies and an administrative action plan to address these issues. The analysis includes the impact on peers, community, and justice entities, focusing on accountability, diversity, and inclusivity to foster a positive organizational culture and ensure effective implementation. This paper examines the ethical considerations necessary to address juvenile hate crimes and identity-based bullying within the juvenile justice system and related workplaces. It explores the impact of these crimes on victims and communities, the balance between accountability and rehabilitation for offenders, and the role …

Considerations For The Implementation Of A Specialized Mental Health Probation Caseload, Ross Becker

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

The field of community corrections has undergone a transformation. While holding probationers accountable is still the expectation, agencies have begun to embrace evidence-based interventions to guide client change instead of a more punitive approach. The creation of specialized mental health probation caseloads is a natural evolution of supervision. The purpose of a specialized mental health caseload is to create a pathway for the ethical supervision of clients experiencing serious and persistent mental illness. Administrators who are committed to compassionate service will be most impactful when they consider the many potential ethical implications for both the client and the probation practitioner …

Implementing Body Worn Cameras, Eric Fairchild

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Body worn cameras are small video and audio recording devices that document interactions between law enforcement officers and the community. These devices are used to help with documenting evidence, transparency, and training for law enforcement. Prior to implementing body worn cameras, law enforcement agency need to research body worn cameras, protocols, integration, and challenges that could be faced for the organization and their staff. Protocols need to set in place by administration like retrieval process, storage of data, reviewing of videos, and policy development to assist with the seamless integration of body worn cameras. Ethical considerations must be reviewed to …

Reimagining The Criminal Justice Response To Sexual Assault, Jacob Swanson

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

After a crime is reported, several different stakeholders work to take the case from a police report to a conviction. In sexual assault cases, these stakeholders may consist of police officers, medical professionals, advocates, forensic scientists, prosecutors, and others. Yet, this process cannot begin until a victim reports their crime to law enforcement. Sexual assault cases are widely underreported and for a variety of reasons. Data from the 2015-2019 National Crime Victimization Survey suggests that only about one-third of sexual assaults are reported to police, while only about 3% lead to a felony conviction (RAINN, n.d.).

The criminal justice community …

Crisis Intervention Policing: Navigating The Past And Adapting To The Future, Tou Vang

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Law enforcement personnel often find themselves responding to crisis calls involving mental health disorders or behaviors; however, standard police training sometimes lacks proper protocol or resources to manage such scenarios without resorting to the use of force. The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program is one potential resource that offers law enforcement personnel the tools to handle mental health crises effectively, but implementing it requires a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) strategy to build community trust and improve responses. This paper emphasizes law enforcement's need to adopt creative, compassionate, and ethical approaches in mental health crises due to past tensions and …

Bars Are Not Fluid: Gender Identity And Women's Rights In Correctional Facilities, Camilla Juliana Gonzalez

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

The evolving demographic landscape of the American criminal justice system, with increasing numbers of transgender individuals incarcerated, challenges traditional binary classifications and necessitates revisions in correctional evaluation methods. Balancing the specific needs of transgender inmates with the protection of women's rights and their safety is critical. This research evaluates ethical frameworks within correctional institutions, proposing a compassionate approach to prevent policy manipulation.

Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted action plan, including establishing a task force, gender assessment protocols, comprehensive policies, and educational initiatives, all supported by ethical accountability. Three key policies—gender affirmation, zero-tolerance, and religious rights—are examined for their potential …

An Evidence-Based Approach To Prison Library Provision: Aligning Policy And Practice, Jayne Finlay, Susannah Hanlon, Jessica Bates

Journal of Prison Education Research

The aim of this paper is to enable a better understanding of the possibilities of prison library services and offer evidence that can help to support efforts to align policy and practice in prison library provision. Alongside an examination of existing policies, guidelines and literature, the paper presents findings that emerged from interviews with six prison library experts, undertaken as part of a recent national review of prison library services in Ireland. Following a discussion of these findings, a set of ten principles for prison library provision in Ireland is presented which holds relevance for global prison library policy and …

"They Are Usually Borderline Homeless": Exploring The Nexus Of Homelessness, Housing Instability, Successful Reentry, And Long-Term Reintegration, Emily Troshynski, Carolyn Willis

Criminal Justice Faculty Research

For previously incarcerated persons, affordable and safe housing options are scarce. Barriers to securing housing include federal mandates (i.e., eligibility requirements) as well as local rules and regulations (i.e., zoning and ordinances). When housing is available, disclosing criminal history on applications impacts individuals’ chances to rent (Philips & Spencer, 2013). A lack of a consistent rental history, no personal and/or employment references, and securing capital to cover security deposits are added challenges. Since parole rules direct ex-convicts not to associate with others that have a criminal record, living with partners, friends, and family members may not be an option. Research …

Transforming Law Enforcement To Attract Candidates From The Millennial Generation, Jason Muelken

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

There is a widespread shortage of law enforcement candidates throughout the nation, resulting in agencies needing to increase their efforts to maintain staffing. The largest group in the workforce, the millennial generation, holds unique set of traits that make recruiting, retention, and leadership challenging for law enforcement administration. With the decrease in law enforcement applicant pools, recruitment and retention success is paramount to maintaining a successful organization in the future. An action plan is needed to practically, and ethically apply the change of approach to a workplace. This paper discusses how these changes may impact peers, the community, and additional …

Prospective Hires: Examining Ex-Offender Stigma Effects On Employment, Amanda Neff

Justice Studies Theses

Formerly incarcerated persons face many barriers upon being released from prison–one of which is gaining employment. Obtaining a job can be difficult due to employers’ perceived employability of those who have been involved in the justice system. Organizational and personal characteristics of employers have been found in previous research to impact how likely an employer is to hire formerly incarcerated individuals. This thesis examines how stigma surrounding formerly incarcerated persons is perceived by employers through quantitatively examining employer demographics and their willingness to hire these individuals. This study used a mixed-model randomized sampling method for surveying employers in Bristol, Central …

Criminal Justice Update - February 2024, Delaney Rabenold

Criminal Justice Updates

The Criminal Justice Update is a monthly newsletter created by the Adams County Bar Foundation Fellow providing updates in criminal justice policy coming from Pennsylvania's courts and legislature as well as the US Supreme Court.

Contents:

• Updates from PA Governor's Office (no new updates this month)

• Updates from the PA Legislature (no new updates this month)

• Updates from the Courts

  • U.S. Supreme Court

  • PA Supreme Court

  • PA Superior Court

Improving Police Officer Recruiting, Retention, And Job Satisfaction, Mitch Christensen

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

This Capstone paper covered the topics of police officer recruiting, retention, and job satisfaction. It detailed current issues surrounding these topics, and promoted actionable and evidence-based changes to improve those issues. Topics were analyzed through administrative, ethical, and legal and legislative lens views. These proposed measures served as confirmation that current concerning trends can be mitigated, if not reversed, with thoughtful and thorough actions by police administrators and frontline employees alike.

How Human Performance Factors Can Be Better Understood And Influenced To Affect Use Of Force Encounters, Jared Kaspar

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Police officers in the United States of America are afforded a tremendous amount of power over its citizens. With this power comes great responsibility and over the last several years, police use of force in the course of their duties has come under increased scrutiny. Police officers are humans who are bound by the same performance factors of the average citizen: fear, fatigue, anger, physical and mental fitness are among a whole list of influences that affect use of force encounters. Since officers are human, they are not perfect and mistakes can, and do, occur. Tragically, when police officers make …

Does New York's Bail Reform Law Impact Recidivism? A Quasi-Experimental Test In The State's Suburban And Upstate Regions, René Ropac

Publications and Research

This is the third report in Data Collaborative for Justice's Bail Reform and Recidivism Series. The study builds upon two previous reports examining the impact of bail reform on recidivism in New York City. This study estimated the impact of New York's bail reform on recidivism in the State's suburban and upstate regions. We compared re-arrest rates for people who had bail set or were remanded at arraignment in the first half of 2019 (before bail reform) with similar people who were released without bail in the first half of 2020 (after bail reform).

Evaluating The Impact Of Desk Appearance Ticket Reform In New York State, Olive Lu, Michael Rempel

Publications and Research

This report addresses the extent to which reform led more people charged with low-level offenses to return home swiftly after an arrest, avoid overnight detention, and limit unnecessary system contact. We focused solely on misdemeanors and Class E felonies where the specific charge is subject to a mandatory DAT (excluding domestic violence, sex offenses, and select other charges) and the individual has not failed to appear in the past two years. Thus, we excluded most cases where police officers retained discretion; however, the data could not isolate all carve-outs, such as people who cannot prove their identity, appear to need …

Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Commends Work Of Iu Faculty During Annual State Of The Judiciary, James Owsley Boyd

Keep Up With the Latest News from the Law School (blog)

No abstract provided.

Making Sense Of Making Parole In New York, Alexandra Mcglinchy

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

For many individuals incarcerated in New York, the initial step toward freedom begins with an interview with the Board of Parole. This process, however, is frequently a complex and challenging one, characterized by repeated denials and extended incarcerations. The disparity in outcomes – where one individual may receive over 20 denials and another is granted parole on their first attempt – highlights the ambiguity and inconsistency in the parole decision-making process. This project aims to clarify the factors that influence parole decisions by concentrating on measurable variables. These include age, race, duration of sentence served, proportion of sentence served, type …

“He’S In Jail Now And I Don’T Feel Bad”: Analyzing Sureties’ Decisions To Report Bail Violations, Rachel Schumann, Carolyn Yule

International Journal on Responsibility

The control, supervision, and rehabilitation of criminalized people often falls on the shoulders of non-state agents and organizations. Surety bail releases are a clear embodiment of this trend, as the courts call upon relatives, friends, and employers to supervise the pre-conviction activity of people accused of a crime. According to the law, sureties must report all bail violations to the police; the resulting diffusion of responsibility is said to increase the penal state’s power and control over criminal justice-involved individuals while minimizing reputational risks. Yet how sureties carry out this role in the community remains unexplored. Using data from 36 …

Graying Incarcerated Persons And Education Programs In Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ijeoma B. Uche Phd, Agnes E. Okafor Phd, Okala A. Uche Phd *Corresponding Author

Journal of Prison Education Research

Correctional education programs are rehabilitation programs designed for incarcerated persons in Nigerian correctional institutions. However, getting the graying incarcerated persons to participate in education programs becomes quite challenging. This study investigates graying incarcerated persons and education programs in one correctional centre. Data were collected qualitatively from fifteen (15) incarcerated individuals aged 60 years and above using semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was employed in analyzing the data generated for the study. Findings show that there are no available education programs for graying incarcerated individuals. The study also revealed that designing education programs in such a way that it will accommodate the …

Exploring The International Humanitarian Law Status Of Foreign Fighters In The Ukrainian International Legion Of Territorial Defence, S. Bosch

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper explores the international humanitarian law classification which applies to foreign fighters that have been enlisted in the Ukrainian International Legion of Territorial Defence pursuant to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The paper explains the legal rights, obligations and consequences which attach to mercenary, combatant and prisoner of war status; and explores how these foreign members of the Ukrainian International Legion of Territorial Defence fit into this legal landscape. This paper challenges the legality of Russia's decision to classify these individuals as mercenaries. The paper supports the argument that these foreign members of the Ukrainian International Legion …

Bad Apples Or A Rotten Orchard: Detroit Police Culture And Its Protection Of Corruption, Megan Quick

Rushton Journal of Undergraduate Humanities Research

In the light of substantial police corruption and misconduct in the history of the Detroit Police force, the defense of “a few bad apples” is frequently proffered. To examine the validity of the bad apple defense, this paper examines how the DPD’s leadership and rank and file officers responded to allegations and criminal charges for police corruption under Mayor Coleman A. Young. The paper concludes that police culture played a role in law enforcement corruption and points to the importance of understanding police corruption and its causes to better address the issue.

Nebraska Department Of Correctional Services Classification And Crowding Project Technical Report, Zachary Hamilton, Alex Kigerl, Baylee Allen-Flores, Addison Kobie, John Ursino, Amber Krushas, Brian Gildea, Ryan E. Spohn

Reports

In response to recent reports and noted issues of prison crowding, NDCS (Nebraska Department of Correctional Services) contracted with NCJR (Nebraska Center for Justice Research) to investigate the impacts of crowding. Going beyond the CSG, CJI, and Master Plan reports (Council of State Governments, 2015; Criminal Justice Institute, 2022; Dewberry, 2023; JFA, 2020), NDCS requested NCJR identify which facilities and populations are impacted greatest via crowding. Further, findings provide areas of recommended changes needed to ease growth and help maintain safety and functionality of NDCS institutions. As part of Phase I, we completed a process evaluation, which included a review …

How Can Law Enforcement Use Technology To Protect Citizens Justly?, Zach Kantenwein

Emerging Writers

This paper explores the danger of emerging artificial intelligence technology perpetuating racial injustice in law enforcement and how police can ensure the protection of citizens amid this information age. We dissect a real-world case in which AI predictive policing technology resulted in alarming racial discrimination against American minority citizens. We discuss the possible explanations for this result and explore the limitations of artificial intelligence technology. Furthermore, we brainstorm methods for ensuring American citizens' just and constitutional protection as new technology is developed and tested. We propose implementing transparency laws that make the details about any policing technology and surveillance available …

Toward A Better Criminal Legal System: Improving Prisons, Prosecution, And Criminal Defense, David A. Harris, Created And Presented Jointly By Students From State Correctional Institution - Greene, Waynesburg, Pa, And University Of Pittsburgh School Of Law, Chief Editor: David A. Harris

Articles

During the Fall 2023 semester, 15 law (Outside) students from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and 13 incarcerated (Inside) students from the State Correctional Institution – Greene, in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, took a full semester class together called Issues in Criminal Justice and Law. The class, occurring each week at the prison, utilized the Inside-Out Prison Exchange pedagogy, and was facilitated by Professor David Harris. Subjects include the purposes of prison, addressing crime, the criminal legal system and race, and issues surrounding victims and survivors of crime. The course culminated in a Group Project; under the heading “improving the …

Mainstream Media Portrayal Of Banishment And Nation-Imposed Punishment, Keely Ormond

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

“In a traditional village, we wouldn’t have a teepee with no door on it and throw somebody in there. We wouldn’t cast them out, because banishment meant death. What we had to do was restore relationships” – Ryan Beardy (Thorpe, 2022).

The following project examines the representation of Indigenous traditions, customs, and issues in Canadian mainstream media. Specifically, this project is interested in the portrayal of banishment as an Indigenous practice in Canadian mainstream news outlets. This project is based on an interpretive paradigm informed by grounded theory and concepts of media framing, postcolonialism, settler colonialism and restorative justice. Nineteen …

Examining Digital Hostility Against Black Women: A Thematic Analysis Of The Black Manosphere On Twitter, Nekea Sanders

Theses and Dissertations

The Manosphere is a collective of powerfully influential men who create and control harmful narratives about women online. Individuals within the Manosphere are disseminating their beliefs and garnering support through various online platforms, including social media. This research study sheds light on the Black Manosphere, a group within the Manosphere that has gone under the radar, despite the detrimental and toxic content they publish online about Black women. This qualitative research study examined the hostile rhetoric published by the Black Manosphere on Twitter (now X) about Black women. The research questions guiding this qualitative examination were: (1) What types and …