Social Control, Law, Crime, and Deviance Commons^™

"This Province, So Meanly And Thinly Inhabited": Punishing Maryland's Criminals, 1681-1850, Jim Rice

History Faculty Scholarship

This essay examines three questions, in each case using the colony and state of Maryland as a case study. First, why did some states adopt the penitentiary so much earlier than others? Pennsylvania opened one in 1790, but South Carolina waited until 1868 to do so. Given the variations in timing, did different states establish penitentiaries for different reasons? That seems to have been the case, as a comparison of Maryland's path to the penitentiary with that of other jurisdictions will demonstrate. Second, was the penitentiary truly revolutionary? Perhaps in some places, but not in Maryland. Third, did the diverse …

Judicial Decision Making Under Michigan Sentencing Guidelines, Abel E. Ekpunobi

Dissertations

Many states and the federal judiciary have adopted sentencing guidelines as a mechanism of sentencing reform. This study used the bounded rationality model to investigate judicial decision-making under Michigan Sentencing Guidelines, and the effectiveness o f the guidelines in reducing or eliminating sentencing disparities — situations in which legally similar defendants receive dissimilar sentences.

A statistical and comparative analysis of a database sample of felony cases (n = 20,834), sentenced in four different-sized Michigan counties from 1992 through 1997, was examined with logistic and linear regression models. Logistic regression results indicate a significant association (p < .05) between incarceration and some legal and extralegal variables. Legal variables, such as prior felony convictions, sentencing guideline scores, offense type/severity, the defendant’s relationship with the criminal justice system, and extralegal variables, such as the defendant’s race and gender, year and county of sentencing, are important predictors of sentencing outcomes. Linear regression results indicate a significant association (p < .05) between the minimum term of imprisonment and prior felony convictions, sentencing guidelines and offense type/ severity, but not with extralegal variables. These results suggest that judicial decision-making remains a human/“bounded rationality” process.

The findings of this study …

Hoarding Of Animals: An Under-Recognized Public Health Problem In A Difficult-To-Study Population, Gary J. Patronek

Passive Cruelty to Animals Collection

Objective. The objective of this study was to better characterize the problem of hoarding, or pathological collecting, of animals.

Methods. The author summarized data from a convenience sample of 54 case reports from 0 animal control agencies and humane societies across the country.

Results. The majority (76%) of hoarders were female, and 46% were 60 years of age or older. About half of the hoarders lived in single-person households. The animals most frequently involved were cats, dogs, farm animals, and birds. The median number of animals per case was 39, but there were four cases of more than 00 animals …

The Limits Of Social Norms, Jeffrey J. Rachlinski

Cornell Law Faculty Publications

School-Based Juvenile Boot Camps: Evaluating Specialized Treatment And Rehabilitation (Star), Chad R. Trulson, Ruth Triplett

Sociology & Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Implemented in Montgomery County, Texas, STAR deviates from traditional boot camps in a variety of ways. The program is closely coupled with school jurisdictions, the juvenile court, and correctional authorities. In addition, the program is non-residential and serves status, misdemeanor, and felony juvenile offenders and mandates parental participation. STAR was initiated to address several goals: enable individuals to remain in school while reducing their disruptive behavior, use school expulsion as a last resort, improve the academic performance of participants, coordinate a joint effort between juvenile authorities and school jurisdictions, instill a sense of pride and discipline in participants, and reduce …

Anomie, Deviant Behavior, And The Olympics, Brian K. Payne, Bruce L. Berg

Sociology & Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Criminal and deviant behavior is known to occur in all places, settings, and times. The Olympics, both Summer and Winter, are not immune to deviant behavior. This paper focuses on the specific types of deviant and criminal acts arising out of the Olympic settings and the anomic factors that possibly lead to deviance in this particular arena. The way that athletes are conformists, innovators, ritualists, and retreatists is considered along with the way that norm confusion influences the Olympic event. Also considered is the role of norm saturation in confusing the way actors interpret appropriate behavior in this setting. Implications …

Tenancy Law 96 Of 1992: Socio-Political Aspects, Ghada Mohammed Ragaa Mohammed El Tantawi

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Social Construction Of A Nonabuser Image: A Study Of A Post-Treatment Male Abuser Self-Help Group, Bruce Alan Bidgood

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This paper chronicles the experiences of the members of a post-treatment mutual support group for wife abusers (MS group). A review of the accumulated research on male abuser interventions suggests that this field is dominated by positivist program evaluative efforts. There is a paucity of qualitative research initiatives into the experiences of this population. The paper attempts to contribute to the very small but growing body of qualitative research on male abusers through the description of a grounded theory-naturalistic inquiry investigation into the individual and organizational strategies used by the members to construct an image of themselves as non-abusers. The …

The Dissolution Of Core Values: Development Of Crime And Society In Postwar Scandinavia With An Emphasis On Norwegian Circumstances, Georg Fr. Rieber-Mohn

BYU Law Review

No abstract provided.

Jane C. Goodale's Review Of Eric Venbrux's A Death In The Tiwi Islands: Conflict, Ritual, And Social Life In An Australian Aboriginal Community, Jane C. Goodale

Pacific Studies

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Corporate Crime: Assessing The Seriousness, Dale J. Ardovini-Brooker

Masters Theses

Many studies have been done concerning the seriousness of traditional street crime. There is a need in the field of criminology to expand our knowledge about how serious corporate crimes are. A key feature of seriousness is how researchers measure it. Using a survey, I analyzed people's perceptions of corporate crime. I had the respondents indicate the seriousness of the crime and harm by using a Likert Scale as well as identifying the appropriate sanction/sentence for the company convicted of the crime. This proved useful in attempting to identify how seriousness is measured by the sanctions/sentences imposed by the respondents. …

Trends. An International Criminal Court: Incompetence To Assess Another Kind Of Competence, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author continues his analysis of international criminal courts.

Trends. Necessity As The Mother Of Invention: International Crime In An Era Of Globalization, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses how the increasing reach and efficiency of telecommunications and mass transport in an era of globalization pose new opportunity for international crime.

Romantic And Electronic Stalking In A College Context, Rebecca K. Lee

William & Mary Journal of Race, Gender, and Social Justice

No abstract provided.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design: An Analysis Of The Boulevard Mall, Kenneth Mac Leod

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Many case studies have been published that report a decrease in crime as a result of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). Although methodologies and results of some studies have been questioned, there is agreement that the designed environment can influence human behavior.

Data in this study were accumulated by the investigation of a local mall. Mall management and head of security reported a decrease in all types of crime after improving and adding security measures for customers and store employees. My hypothesis was the mall provided a high number of CPTED features which would result in a low number …

The Relationship Between Treatment Programs And Recidivism With African American Delinquents Under The Age Of 14, Sonya D. Gray

Dissertations

Problem statement. African American youth are over-represented in the juvenile justice system, which fails to meet their needs. Research is necessary, therefore, to discover treatment alternatives that effectively address these delinquents' needs.

Methodology. This study examined the relationship between treatments and recidivism of 100 African American male delinquents under the age of 14. Recidivism was defined as any arrest, within a 3-year period, for either criminal or misdemeanor offenses, subsequent to the court's referral for the treatment programs named in the study. Only delinquents who were adjudicated for the first time in 1991 through 1994 were included in …

Extending The Boundaries : Portraits Of Activism In Perth, Western Australia, Alan Wilson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

For some analysts, post-industrial capitalist societies have pathological deficiencies which manifest themselves locally and further afield, in marginalisation and oppression of people and despoliation of the environment. For those who are passionately driven to challenge those consequences of the dominant paradigm, activism is deemed to be a potent force for effecting social and political change. The aim of this study was to establish how activists integrate issues, context, strategies, personal factors and other influences into a strategy for action.

An Analysis Of Police Perceptions Of Community Policing And Female Officers, Rhonda Kaye Delong

Dissertations

Traditional and community policing differ in their approach to crime and other social concerns. Traditional policing emphasizes reactive response and enforcement while community policing emphasizes proactive response and community partnership. Often, these two types of departments select officers with specific characteristics which fit well with the philosophy of the department. Characteristics such as age, education, years of military experience, rank, years of police experience, type of department, and family members in the military and the police are examined in this study to determine perceptual differences among officers regarding the community policing philosophy and the role of women in policing. A …

Getting Away With Murder: The Mass Media's Role In Staging Crime, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

This article describes a problem created by the mass media and confronted by criminal-investigative analysts at crime scenes at which murder seems to have been perpetrated.

The Paradox Of International Smuggling: A Case For Lying Back, Letting It Happen, But Not Necessarily Enjoying It, Ibpp Editor

International Bulletin of Political Psychology

The author discusses the paradox of international smuggling and a few scenarios to eliminate it.

What’S Good For Gm… : Deindustrialization, And Crime In Four Michigan Cities, 1975-1993, Rick Matthews

Dissertations

This study examines the effects of deteriorated economic conditions caused by General Motor's deindustrialization efforts between 1975 and 1993 on crime rates in four Michigan cities. The Michigan cities ofFlint and Saginaw are used as examples of cities that were highly dependent on General Motors for their economic well-being, and are compared with Lansing and Grand Rapids which had more diversified economies and experienced less social disorganization. It is hypothesized that General Motor's deindustrialization efforts in Flint and Saginaw caused social disorganization to increase, which, in turn, caused crime rates to increase. Lansing and Grand Rapids, on the other hand, …

Bailing Out Of Bonds: The Effect Of Victim/Offender Relationships And Other Factors In The Setting Of Bail, Tancy Vandecar

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate which factors impact bail decisions made by magistrates and judges. Much of the research on this topic was done in the early 1960s and 1970s when efforts such as the Manhattan Bail Project were in full force and the decisions of magistrates had not been investigated. There has been little research which looks specifically at the effect of victim-offender relationship on the bail decision. The present research utilizes bail decisions made by judges in the General District Court of Virginia Beach, Virginia as well as Virginia Beach magistrates. The effects of offense …

Changes In Network Characteristics And Hiv Risk Behavior Among Injection Drug Users, John P. Hoffmann, S. Susan Su, Alfred Pach

Faculty Publications

Studies indicate that HIV risk behaviors vary greatly among injection drug users (IDUs). The source of such variation is often ascribed to individual differences, but much of it is due to how IDUs are grouped into social networks. Nevertheless, given the turbulent and uncertain lives led by many IDUs, it would not be surprising if their social networks changed substantially over time. We used data from a study of the social networks of IDUs in Chicago and Washington, DC, to examine changes in individual behavior and network characteristics over time. The results indicated few changes in standard network measures, such …

Correctional Institution Response To Deviant Behavior: An Evaluation Of Correctional Institution Rehabilitation Treatment Programs, Catherine A. Stillman

Theses & Honors Papers

There have been countless studies on criminals, treatment and recidivism, however, there is still no simple solution. The treatment programs at Dillwyn Correctional Center were design and taught by the Correctional Institution Rehabilitation Counselors. These treatment programs were enacted in hopes of aiding the offender in leading a crime free life in the future. Theorist Sutherland and Gillin both submit that it is possible for a convict to be reformed through a process of interaction with the do-gooders of society and a regime of work and education to be reborn as a lawful individual. Therefore, the treatment programs enacted at …

Decision Making And The Felony Offender: A Cognitive Approach, Marlene O’Hara

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the theory of cognitive self-change as it applies to increasing the successful completion rate of felony offenders sentenced to a probation half-way house. Subjects used were young, males who had been convicted of non-violent crimes and who were ordered to complete the Alternative Directors Residential Probation program as part of their probation order.

The group of residents who entered Alternative Directions in October, 1994 was given an intensive ten hour course using cognitive decision making techniques during their first two weeks in residence. The groups of residents entering the …

Less-Than-Lethal Weapons And Police-Citizen Killings In U.S. Urban Areas, William C. Bailey

Sociology & Criminology Faculty Publications

There appears to be general consensus in law enforcement circles that less-than-lethal weapons are effective in reducing police-citizen killings, but this “common wisdom” has not been subject to systematic empirical analysis. Considering a large sample of U.S. cities for 1990, this article examines the association between the availability to the police of various types of less-than-lethal weapons and general and race-specific justifiable homicide rates. The analysis produces no evidence that police killing rates are affected by the availability of less-than-lethal weapons.

Fax: Reinventing Government Initiative, September 20, 1996, Clinton Gore '96

Saffy Collection - All Textual Materials

A fax sent to disseminate information about the third annual progress report on the Reinventing Government initiative presented by President Clinton and Vice President Gore to create a government that works better and costs less.

Review Of The Youth Gang Problem: A Community Approach. Irving A. Spergel. Reviewed By James Callicut, University Of Texas, Arlington., James W. Callicutt

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

Irving A. Spergel, The Youth Gang Problem: A Community Approach. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995. $24.00 papercover.

Rural And Urban Police Officer Attitudes Toward Psychologists And Psychological Services, Kara Gettman

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Psychologists are frequently called upon to work with law enforcement personnel, yet little research has been conducted to examine the attitudes of police officers toward psychologists and psychological services. The purpose of this study was to survey police officers in both urban and rural settings in an attempt to gauge their attitudes toward psychologists and psychological services. The researcher designed the questionnaire that was used because no single assessment instrument currently exists which measures all of the potentially relevant variables The attitudes assessed included the perceived need for psychologists and psychological services, the preferred roles for psychologists in law enforcement …

The Effects Of Local Enforcement Of The Legal Minimum Drinking Age On The Students Of Eastern Illinois University, Timmy D. Tritsch

Masters Theses

This study investigated the perceived effect of increased community enforcement of the legal minimum alcohol drinking age on the attitudes and behavior of university students as reported by the community. The results indicated increased local alcohol enforcement efforts, changed student drinking behavior, which in turn created a positive change in community attitude toward enforcement efforts. Increased enforcement efforts between the years 1993 and 1995 targeted underage drinking and alcohol related crime as demonstrated by university students. Enforcement efforts were initiated by community officials in the form of a beer keg registration ordinance, minimum age bar compliance checks, raising the bar …