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Articles 1 - 30 of 120
Full-Text Articles in Criminology and Criminal Justice
“From Bars To Becoming”: Exploring Identity Change Across Prison Programming, Evan W. Saunders
“From Bars To Becoming”: Exploring Identity Change Across Prison Programming, Evan W. Saunders
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Self-identity plays a pivotal role in one’s day-to-day life, impacting their behaviors and ambitions, but what is conducive to a change in identity is often underdeveloped. Mechanisms that lead incarcerated individuals to both a shift in identity and desistance away from crime are both underdeveloped as well. The current study examines the impact of programming on identity and the relationship between identity and recidivism. A sample of individuals participating in a reentry prison program responded to 16 statements that evaluated their perceptions of their Overall Self-Identity, Current Self, Feared Self, and Positive Possible Self at the beginning and end of …
“The Best Laid Plans”: Evaluating How Housing Expectations Impact Prison Reentry, Vittoria A. Gonzalez
“The Best Laid Plans”: Evaluating How Housing Expectations Impact Prison Reentry, Vittoria A. Gonzalez
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This study assesses the expectations of housing stability pre-release and evaluates how closely these expectations align with actual housing outcomes. Additionally, this study examines how the alignment between pre-release housing expectations influences recidivism. The aim is to understand how individuals’ perceptions of their housing plans prior to release affect their reentry experiences and to offer insights that may inform policy and program design. Using data collected pre- and post- release within a prison reentry program from 115 individuals, results indicate that higher overall housing concern is associated with slightly higher odds of recidivism, and mismatches between expected and actualized housing …
From Legislation To Lived Experience: Navigating The Expungement Process For Human Trafficking Survivors In Florida, Soriyah A. Khan
From Legislation To Lived Experience: Navigating The Expungement Process For Human Trafficking Survivors In Florida, Soriyah A. Khan
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Human trafficking is an inherently exploitative crime in which survivors are often coerced or forced into committing crimes. As a result, many carry criminal records that impede successful reintegration. To alleviate this issue, criminal record relief statutes have been enacted throughout the U.S. However, little research has examined the effectiveness of these statutes as well as the experiences of human trafficking survivors seeking criminal record relief and the professionals assisting them. Using semi-structured interviews with human trafficking survivors and criminal justice actors in Florida, this study sought to examine the awareness of criminal record relief, their experiences navigating the process, …
Strain In The System: Examining The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Pathways Into Cybercrime, Hannah R. Murphy
Strain In The System: Examining The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Pathways Into Cybercrime, Hannah R. Murphy
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This study examines the relationship between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and cybercriminal behavior among 238 active hackers with verified website defacements identified through the Zone-H archive. Drawing upon General Strain Theory, this research investigates whether childhood trauma influences both the developmental timing and motivational aspects of hacking activities. Using ordinary least squares and ordered logistic regression analyses with country-clustered standard errors, the study tested two hypotheses: (1) that higher ACE scores would be associated with earlier onset of hacking behavior, and (2) that higher ACE scores would predict increased likelihood of engaging in revenge-motivated hacking. Results revealed a complex relationship …
Understanding The Coping Mechanisms Used By Older Formerly Incarcerated Persons During Reentry, Sayla Victores
Understanding The Coping Mechanisms Used By Older Formerly Incarcerated Persons During Reentry, Sayla Victores
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The current study investigated the coping mechanisms employed by older formerly incarcerated individuals during reentry. While there is research on the reentry experiences of older formerly incarcerated individuals, less is known about how they cope with the strains of reentry. As such, this study fills this gap in the literature by exploring both adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms employed by this population during reentry. Using in-depth interviews with 20 older, formerly incarcerated individuals, I found that older formerly incarcerated persons experienced challenges related to securing stable housing, finding employment and economic security, community supervision, stigma and judgment, and overall reintegration. …
Narratives Of Resilience: The Power Of Creative Expression And Community Support During Familial Incarceration, Alana Alexander
Narratives Of Resilience: The Power Of Creative Expression And Community Support During Familial Incarceration, Alana Alexander
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Existing literature stresses that the far-reaching effects of mass incarceration extend beyond prison walls, profoundly shaping familial experiences. Despite this, families remain consistently overlooked in criminal justice discourse, leading to heightened stress and diminished resilience. This thesis is a program review of a community-based program, referred to here as the Storytelling, Creativity, and Care (SCC) program, to protect the confidentiality of its participants and activities. The SCC program integrates neuroscience and narrative theory to explore how storytelling influences cultural perceptions, shapes lived experiences, and supports psychological and physiological healing. Additionally, this work investigates the socio-political narratives that perpetuate stigma and …
Gone Smishing: An Integration Of Decision-Making And Protection Motivation In The Context Of Identity Theft Victimization, Taylor S. Fisher
Gone Smishing: An Integration Of Decision-Making And Protection Motivation In The Context Of Identity Theft Victimization, Taylor S. Fisher
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Methods of obtaining sensitive information from Internet users have evolved consistently as technology has advanced and millions of mobile device users communicate through text (SMS) messaging daily, making them a target for smishing attacks. Smishing (short for SMS phishing) is a form of cybercrime where an offender will send fraudulent text messages attempting to gather sensitive information or convince the user to click on a malicious link. These messages often appear legitimate and rely on tactics like convincing users that immediate action needs to be taken. Smishing has become so widespread that in 2020, the Texas Attorney General issued a …
Maturing Out Of Crime: A Test Of The Integrated Maturation Theory Of Desistance, Kelly E. Kortright
Maturing Out Of Crime: A Test Of The Integrated Maturation Theory Of Desistance, Kelly E. Kortright
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation partially tested a newer integrated theory, the Integrated Maturation Theory (IMT) of desistance. IMT argues that as maturation increases across five maturation domains (social role, civic, identity, psychosocial, and neurocognitive) the likelihood of offending decreases. Using a sample of serious justice-involved juveniles spanning ages 14-24 from the Pathways to Desistance Study, the individual and simultaneous maturation domain development of the social role, civic, identity, and psychosocial maturation domains, were explored for heterogeneity. Using a group-based trajectory modeling approach, including multi-trajectory modeling, this study advanced the understanding of maturation development by identifying sub-groups following declining trajectories of maturation and …
Sociocultural Factors, Definitions, And Experiences Of Intimate Partner Violence Among Latina And Hispanic Women, Vanessa Centelles
Sociocultural Factors, Definitions, And Experiences Of Intimate Partner Violence Among Latina And Hispanic Women, Vanessa Centelles
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pressing public health concern in the United States (US), particularly for women. Some studies have shown that Hispanic and Latina women are at an elevated risk of experiencing IPV due to a notable passiveness of violence among traditional Hispanic and Latina women. Thus, it is crucial for research to examine the effects of sociocultural variables—such as cultural orientation, gender norm beliefs, and ethnic identity—on IPV within this demographic, particularly for women in the US. Furthermore, while the experiences of IPV victimization among Hispanic and Latina women have begun to be recognized in the broader …
Multiple Shots To Understanding Gun Violence, Lexi Gill
Multiple Shots To Understanding Gun Violence, Lexi Gill
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Gun violence is a ubiquitous issue across the United States, and recently, gun violence surpassed the previously recorded highest rates. Each year, tens of thousands of individuals lose their lives to gun-related violence. Gun violence is the leading cause of death among youth and disparately impacts young Black men. Some suggest gun violence is a social contagion that transmits from one individual to another and circulates through certain communities, suggesting gun violence can be “cured” with the appropriate treatment. Despite the proliferation of gun violence, current research on gun violence is underdeveloped. It is imperative to assess gun violence from …
The Perception Of Innocence And Guilt: Understanding Relationships Between Exonerees And Their Loved Ones, Martha E. Mccullough
The Perception Of Innocence And Guilt: Understanding Relationships Between Exonerees And Their Loved Ones, Martha E. Mccullough
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Exoneration and wrongful conviction complicate the field of criminology and the criminal justice system. Much of the scholarship on wrongful conviction focuses on the faults of the criminal justice system, such as false or misleading forensic evidence, false confessions, official misconduct, inadequate legal defense, and more. However, there is less research on the social, psychological, and economic impact of a wrongful conviction on those who have been wrongfully convicted and those associated with wrongful convictions (e.g., exoneree's loved ones). Recent studies indicate that social and psychological implications after a wrongful conviction may not only affect exonerees but also their loved …
The Contributions Of Mental Health Issues, Traumatic Brain Injury, And Adverse Childhood Experiences To Recidivism Among Rural Jail Incarcerees, Lauren N. Miley
The Contributions Of Mental Health Issues, Traumatic Brain Injury, And Adverse Childhood Experiences To Recidivism Among Rural Jail Incarcerees, Lauren N. Miley
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Recidivism should be a major concern, particularly for American jails. The Unites States incarcerates 2.3 million people, a number exceeding rates in any other country. Approximately 90% of those individuals will reenter society at some point, and roughly half of those people will ultimately return to jail. This revolving door costs U.S. taxpayers upwards of $39 billion per year, and undermines public safety. Therefore, breaking this cycle of incarceration and recidivism is of utmost concern, and the focus of this dissertation. Mental health problems, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are three potential risk factors for recidivism …
Assessing The Relationship Between True Crime Documentary And Podcast Consumption, Fear Of Crime, And Protective Behaviors, Lauren A. Tremblay
Assessing The Relationship Between True Crime Documentary And Podcast Consumption, Fear Of Crime, And Protective Behaviors, Lauren A. Tremblay
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This study examines how the consumption of true crime documentaries and podcasts is linked to the fear of crime and the adoption of protective behaviors. Building upon prior research that explores these relationships, this study aims to evaluate the impact of true crime content consumption and fear of crime on individuals’ engagement in protective behaviors. Using a cultivation theory framework with an analytic sample of 665 American adults, three Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regressions and one structural equation model are used to evaluate the relationship between true crime documentary and podcast consumption, fear of crime, and protective behaviors. Results suggest …
Damned & Damned: Examining Vexatious Litigation And The Vexatious Litigant Statute In Florida Courts, Sarah L. Harper
Damned & Damned: Examining Vexatious Litigation And The Vexatious Litigant Statute In Florida Courts, Sarah L. Harper
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation examines self-represented litigants subjected to limitations under the Vexatious Litigant statute (F.S. 68.093) and related case law. It draws data from official records, surveys, interviews with judges, and a thematic analysis of court orders. The present research consists of two studies: Study I focuses on the application of Florida's Vexatious Litigant statute and similar sanctions, and Study II explores judges' decision-making in cases involving challenging self-represented litigants. Restrictions on litigants' court access raise concerns about due process rights, and an assessment of the use of these sanctions and litigants' practices is vital for understanding their application. The findings …
Police Officers’ Perceptions Of Gunshot Detection Technology, Courtney L. Weber
Police Officers’ Perceptions Of Gunshot Detection Technology, Courtney L. Weber
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Prior research has shown that police officers’ perceptions has an influence on technological advancement implementation into an agency. Prior gunshot detection technology (GST) research has looked at how effective the technology is at decreasing response times, bringing gunfire to the attention of police, and tracking gun crime trends in the jurisdiction. However, it remains unknown whether police officers support the use of GST technology, and whether they feel that there is sufficient training and support available to them to utilize GST effectively. Therefore, this thesis aims to address several central questions regarding police officers’ perceptions of GST, their support for …
Candidate-Related Distress And Voting: Examining Political Behavior Through The Lens Of General Strain Theory, Katelyn N. Smith
Candidate-Related Distress And Voting: Examining Political Behavior Through The Lens Of General Strain Theory, Katelyn N. Smith
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This study examines voting as a legitimate coping strategy through the lens of general strain theory. Drawing on previous research on the correlates of voting and general strain theory, this study seeks to evaluate the influence of different beliefs and negative emotions on voting, as well as the role of voting as a way to alleviate the negative emotions brought on by presidential elections. Using an analytic sample of 664 American adults with perceived voting eligibility, two structural equation models are used to evaluate the relationship between beliefs, negative emotions, and voting. Results suggests that individual beliefs and negative emotions …
Efficacy Of Online Social Movements For Sparking Change: The Case Of The Missing Murdered And Indigenous Women Movement (#Mmiw), Kacy A. Bleeker
Efficacy Of Online Social Movements For Sparking Change: The Case Of The Missing Murdered And Indigenous Women Movement (#Mmiw), Kacy A. Bleeker
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The current study examined the context of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Movement (#MMIW) in the context of activist engagement, media representations, and public awareness and beliefs related to the movement. The present study framed the movement within the context of social movement theory, intersectionality, and feminism, to determine the applicability of these frameworks in explaining an Indigenous social movement. While the use of social media to facilitate and mobilize social movements is not a new phenomenon, limited research has examined the functionality of online social movements, particularly in the context of movements concerned with intersectional identities. Research highlights, …
Threats To School Safety: Examining Levels Of Community Violence And Its Relation To School-Related Threats, Dorie Ross
Threats To School Safety: Examining Levels Of Community Violence And Its Relation To School-Related Threats, Dorie Ross
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Despite significant media attention provided to school-based acts of violence, these tragic incidents are relatively rare across school environments, leading to increasing challenges in identifying students who may pose a threat. Previous approaches to school discipline, including policies such as zero tolerance, resulted in significant racial disparities among students who received disciplinary consequences inconsistent with the severity of their behaviors or threats. Alternatively, a relatively recent approach that emerged following a series of school shootings in the 1990s was school threat assessment, which focuses on prevention rather than prediction. While it is important to determine students who may pose a …
Standing Her Ground: Legal Constraints On Women Who Have Been Victims Of Violence, Janae E. Thomas
Standing Her Ground: Legal Constraints On Women Who Have Been Victims Of Violence, Janae E. Thomas
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Women who have been the victim of violence have always been at a disadvantage under the laws in the United States because these laws stem from a patriarchal, sexist, heteronormative, and racist ideology under which this country was founded. Self- defense laws have shown to be no different and serve as a constraint to women who attempt to protect themselves at the hands of an abuser. This dissertation focuses on women who have been the victim of violence at the hands of an abuser to show that the law is not doing an adequate job of protecting them. It accomplishes …
Employing Individuals With A Criminal Record: How Prior Experience And Belief In Redeemability Impact Hiring Decisions, Kiera O'Connor
Employing Individuals With A Criminal Record: How Prior Experience And Belief In Redeemability Impact Hiring Decisions, Kiera O'Connor
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
This study sought to better understand the mechanisms that play a part in employers’ hiring decisions when considering an applicant who has a criminal record. Specifically, two key variables were analyzed as a predictor of an employers’ willingness to hire (WTH): the presence and quality of an employer’s prior experience (PE) having hired an individual with a criminal record, and the extent to which they hold a belief in the redeemability (BiR) of those with a criminal record. Further, the current study aimed to contribute to the body of literature pertaining to WTH, PE and BiR by introducing BiR as …
The Invisible Victims Of Commercial Sexual Exploitation: Boys And Their Barriers To Access To Services, Amanda L. Connella
The Invisible Victims Of Commercial Sexual Exploitation: Boys And Their Barriers To Access To Services, Amanda L. Connella
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
While there has been a large body of research conducted on girl (under the age of 18) victims of commercial sexual exploitation, boy (under the age of 18) victims do not seem to receive the same attention. From the few studies that have been conducted, boys and young male victims of commercial sexual exploitation have been shown to have gender specific barriers that prevent them from getting help, yet not many papers explore this unique problem. Using survey data from key providers that work in programs that serve commercially sexually exploited boys, the present study fills this hole in the …
An Examination Of Racial Disparities In Arrest Across Florida Counties, 1998-2018: A Test Of The Racial Threat And Political Representation Hypotheses, Xavier D. Burch
An Examination Of Racial Disparities In Arrest Across Florida Counties, 1998-2018: A Test Of The Racial Threat And Political Representation Hypotheses, Xavier D. Burch
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this dissertation is to examine variations in the racial distribution of reported arrests across counties, and whether those outcomes are related to racial demographics variables and measure of the political structure in the State of Florida. The study seeks to bring awareness to the importance of representation of minorities by conducting a test of Blalock’s minority threat theory and extending the theory through the examination of political variables across Florida counties. Arrest and population data from 67 Florida counties along with the racial composition of the Florida State House of Representatives from 1998 to 2018 are utilized …
Integrating Psychopathy Into Prominent Developmental/Life-Course Theories, Eva M. Fontaine
Integrating Psychopathy Into Prominent Developmental/Life-Course Theories, Eva M. Fontaine
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Despite empirical research identifying psychopathy as one of the most robust predictors of criminal behavior, calls to integrate psychopathy into criminological theory have largely been unrequited. Within criminological theory, the construct of psychopathy has been proposed to best fit in the developmental/life-course (DLC) paradigm. As such, the purpose of this dissertation was to explore the theoretical integration of into psychopathy into three DLC theories: (1) Moffitt’s (1993) Dual Taxonomy, (2) Gottfredson & Hirschi’s (1990) General Theory of Crime, and (3) DeLisi’s (2009) Unified Theory of Crime. In doing so, the three studies in this dissertation employed the Pathways to Desistance …
Juvenile Homicide Offenders: A Life-Course Perspective, Norair Khachatryan
Juvenile Homicide Offenders: A Life-Course Perspective, Norair Khachatryan
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Murder by offenders under the age of 18 is a cause for public concern, despite the overall decrease in the rate of juvenile-perpetrated homicide since 1994. Due to several rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court (i.e., Miller v. Alabama, 2012), the likelihood that convicted juvenile homicide offenders (JHOs) will be released from prison has increased. Accordingly, it is important to examine these offenders’ long-term readjustment to society after their release. Using a mixed-method approach, the present study was designed to explore the factors that influence whether JHOs reoffend and their reoffending patterns, over a period of approximately 35 years. Another …
Hope 4 Boys: The Impact Of A Youth Diversion Program, Justine C. Connolly
Hope 4 Boys: The Impact Of A Youth Diversion Program, Justine C. Connolly
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is developing programs targeting first-time nonviolent offenders who might benefit from community-based treatment and positive youth development to prevent these individuals from becoming adult criminals. Thus, the DJJ seeks new and innovative ways to prevent juvenile delinquency and reduce recidivism among first-time nonviolent offenders. The present study aimed to evaluate the Hope 4 Boys program, a juvenile diversion program that addresses the academic and social-emotional needs of juvenile delinquents. The study examined how participation in the program is associated with changes in participants’ levels of hope for the future, life satisfaction, and resiliency …
A Macro Social Examination Of The Relationship Between Disabilities And Crime Using Neighborhood And County Level Data, Natasha A. Baloch
A Macro Social Examination Of The Relationship Between Disabilities And Crime Using Neighborhood And County Level Data, Natasha A. Baloch
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Over the last few decades, there has been a consistent increase in mental illnesses in the US population. This has also lead to increased interactions of those with mental illnesses and/or disabilities with law enforcement and the criminal justice system. Despite these instances, there is limited research on the relationship between disabilities, mental health issues and crime in the large body of criminological research. Further, the current extant research is a) outside the field of Criminology, b) primarily focuses on those with only intellectual or developmental disabilities and/or c) does not examine this relationship at the macro level, despite evidence …
Testing The Protest Paradigm And Racial Threat: Analyzing Articles Of Blm Protests In 2014 And 2020, Rebecca Angela Ruiz
Testing The Protest Paradigm And Racial Threat: Analyzing Articles Of Blm Protests In 2014 And 2020, Rebecca Angela Ruiz
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The study examines the media coverage of Black Lives Matter protest in years 2014 & 2020. I collected a sample of articles (n=120) from 6 national-level media outlets that varied in political leans. Using the Protest Paradigm and Racial Threat theoretical frameworks to analyze the results, findings suggest that the articles do reflect upon the Protest Paradigm through overall negative sentiment and significant references to looting. I also argue that articles may also reflect racial threat due to a lack of transparency of protesters’ racial makeup or diversity attending demonstrations.
Racial Differences In Perceptions Of Sanction Severity, Sarah L. Franklin
Racial Differences In Perceptions Of Sanction Severity, Sarah L. Franklin
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Research has consistently found an association between race and relative perceptions of incarceration severity. Black people view incarceration as less severe than an equivalent period of probation. However, few studies have examined why this relationship exists. The present study surveys a large sample of young adults to examine whether the observed relationship between race and incarceration severity can be replicated. In doing so, the study then considers whether constructs related to socioeconomic status, criminal system experiences, perceptions of legitimacy, and sanction attitudes explain the racial divide. Results indicate a significant relationship between race and incarceration severity, such that Black people, …
Exploring The Effectiveness Of A Life-Skills Program In A Florida Prison Through A Social Bond And General Strain Theory Perspective, Danielle M. Thomas
Exploring The Effectiveness Of A Life-Skills Program In A Florida Prison Through A Social Bond And General Strain Theory Perspective, Danielle M. Thomas
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Prison programs have existed for decades; however, recent attention towards prison reform has raised awareness of the importance of correctional education. Research has shown that many of these programs are highly effective for incarcerated individuals in that program participation is likely to decrease recidivism and increase post-release employment success. Using in-depth interviews with 40 currently incarcerated men – 20 of whom participated in a 2-year prison program (the LIFERS program) and 20 who did not – and matched institutional records for visitation and disciplinary infractions, this study expands on the current research by assessing additional measures of program efficacy, including …
Online Perceptions Of Panamanian Prisons And Incarcerated Persons: An Analysis Of Youtube User Comments, Mahaleth J. Sotelo
Online Perceptions Of Panamanian Prisons And Incarcerated Persons: An Analysis Of Youtube User Comments, Mahaleth J. Sotelo
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The purpose of this study is to explore and understand the frameworks in which prisons and incarcerated persons are discussed amongst commenters under YouTube videos displaying media on Panamanian prisons. The study incorporates a mixed methods approach by conducting a general content analysis of YouTuber comments to address themes within the discussion. Additionally, these themes were quantified and modeled using predictive variables collected such as number of comment likes, number of comment dislikes, and number of comment replies, alias type (screen name or name-like), presence of profile picture, and profile picture type. The themes found were 1) punitive, 2) justifying …