2019 UCJC Conference - Presentation Abstracts
Addressing the School-to-Prison Pipeline: Practice and Policy Implications of H.B. 239
Abstract
In 2017, the Utah State legislature passed House Bill 239, which provides opportunities for alternative school-related interventions, such as restorative justice practices, for certain offenses committed on school grounds. While HB 239 provided important evidence-based alternatives to punitive discipline, it left many LEAs and schools wondering how to effectively implement restorative justice practices in their communities. This presentation will highlight the findings from a needs assessment aiming to identify the current landscape and barriers to implementing restorative practices in schools throughout the State, as well as potential solutions to address any challenges.
About the Presenter
Caroline Ross, M.P.A., is a Senior Director of Policy Innovation with the University of Utah's Sorenson Impact Center within the David Eccles School of Business. Caroline works collaboratively with government and nonprofit partners to . . . read more.
Adverse Childhood Experiences, Race, and Risk Factors for Preschool Suspension and Expulsion: Implications for Policy and Practice-Based Responses
Abstract
As policy makers and educators focus on disrupting the “preschool-to-prison pipeline,” it has become increasingly important to understand what factors may contribute to disparities within the preschool setting. This presentation covers research related to the impact of adverse childhood experiences and children’s race on preschool outcomes and discusses current policy and practice implications related to building equitable trauma-informed early childhood systems.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Dr. Alysse Loomis is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah’s College of Social Work. Her current research explores how early exposure to trauma and other stressors impacts children . . . read more.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND uTAH lAW: cURRENT pRACTICE IN fORENSIC eVALUATION AND tREATMENT
ABSTRACT
There have been several changes to Utah's adult and juvenile competency laws over the past three years and the Department of Human Services has worked with key stakeholders to improve the forensic process and services statewide. In this session, we will present an overview of Utah's Civil Commitment and Competency to Stand Trial laws and evolving policies and practices; the differences between clinical and forensic evaluations; forensic levels of service available in Utah; and data that demonstrate the positive effect on program quality and outcomes.
THE PRESENTERS
Amanda Alkema, Department of Human Services
Lindsey North, Utah State Hospital
Laura Thompson, Utah Office of the Attorney
Best Practices in Service for Provision and Prosecution of Child Human Trafficking Cases
Abstract
Assistant Attorney General Daniel Strong and Allison Smith, Education and Outreach Specialist with the Trafficking in Persons Program at RIC-AAU, will provide an overview of child sex and labor trafficking in Utah—what it looks like, how to spot it, how to help victims, how cases are investigated and prosecuted, and the vital importance of putting victims first in every stage of the case.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Dan Strong is an Assistant Attorney General and Special Assistant United States Attorney for the State of Utah. Dan is currently assigned to the SECURE Section, which prosecute human trafficking . . . read more.
Allison Smith is an Education and Outreach Specialist for the Trafficking in Person's Program. She has a Master's Degree in Human Development and Social Policy . . . read more.
Building Police Officer Resilience: The Development and Evaluation of a National Resilience Training Program
Abstract
Officer safety and wellness is regularly identified as a top concern for law enforcement executives across the United States. Although discussions regarding safety and wellness have traditionally focused on the physical well-being of officers, recent conversations highlight the importance of considering the mental health and resilience needs of the police. In this vein, this presentation will discuss the development, delivery, and evaluation of a national law enforcement resilience training program created to join the suite of training, programs, and technical assistance within the BJA’s Violence Against Law Enforcement Officers and Ensuring Officer Resilience and Survivability (VALOR) Initiative. The concept of resilience and the development of evidence-based skills to improve officers’ well-being will be discussed. Additionally, methods for measuring officer resilience and the findings from a multi-agency resilience training evaluation will be presented.
About the Presenter
Hannah D. McManus is a Research Associate for the IACP/UC Center for Police Research and Policy as well as a doctoral candidate in the School of Criminal Justice at the University of Cincinnati. Hannah is an active participant in both research and evaluation in the criminal justice field . . . read more.
Childhood Adversity, Mental Health, and Perpetration of Physical Violence in the Adult Intimate Relationships of Women Prisoners: A Life Course Perspective
Abstract
The purpose of this is to examine the relationships between ACEs, PTSD symptoms, and the perpetration of the physical violence in the adult intimate relationships of women prisoners. Using data from the 2014 Oklahoma Study of Incarcerated Mothers and Their Children (N = 349) and structural equation modeling (SEM), we investigate the potential mediating effect of PTSD symptoms in the relationship between ACEs and perpetrating violence against an intimate partner.
About the Presenter
Dr. Melissa S. Jones is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Brigham Young University. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma in May 2018. She offers expertise in the fields of criminology, gender . . . read more.
Confronting the Conundrum of Campus Crime: Research Evidence and Impacts from a Campus Police-Academic Partnership in Ohio
Abstract
Concerns regarding campus crime continue to drive conversations amongst students, parents, and college administrators. Critical to these conversations is the role that campus law enforcement agencies can and should serve. Approximately two-thirds of four-year collegiate institutions rely on sworn officers to secure their campuses. This presentation will review the national trends related to campus crime and campus policing and discuss the work produced by a campus police-academic partnership founded within the University of Cincinnati. Specifically, this presentation will identify the impact of various strategies used by the Department of Public Safety at the University of Cincinnati to address campus crime and perceptions of public safety, including strategies such as campus-wide surveys, police directed patrols, bi-weekly crime meetings, among others. Implications from this work will be discussed.
About the Presenter
Gabrielle T. Isaza is a Research Associate for the joint International Association of Chiefs of Police/University of Cincinnati Center for Police Research and Policy as well as a doctoral candidate in the School of Criminal Justice . . . read more.
Criminal Records and Positive Employment Credentials
Abstract
Ban-the-Box, one of the most promising prisoner reentry policy movements, has generated both excitement and concern from advocates and researchers. Evidence indicates postponing criminal record inquiries from the initial application to later in the hiring process—which aims to increase employment opportunities—inadvertently increases discrimination against Black applicants. An alternative policy option is presenting criminal records and positive credentials upfront. In the current study we assess the impact of positive credentials on perceptions of job candidates with criminal records. We present fictional applicants to a nationwide survey of American adults, randomizing the applicant’s race, felony record (none, violent or drug), whether those with records report a positive credential, and the type of credential. Positive credentials improved respondents’ perceptions of both black and white applicants with felony convictions, and a supportive reference letter from a former employer almost entirely mitigated criminal record stigma.
About the Presenter
Dr. Megan Denver is an Assistant Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University. Megan received her Ph.D. from the School of Criminal Justice . . . read more.
The Critical Role of Implementation Science in Achieving Recidivism Reduction Outcomes
Abstract
Evidence-based programs (EBP) do not spontaneously find their way into the routine work of organizations attempting to reduce recidivism, and even when they become the principle service offered, frequently those services fail to resemble the EBP as it was delivered in research settings. Implementation frameworks can guide organizational change such that EBPs can more closely align with the service as it was delivered in research settings, thus creating a greater likelihood of attaining recidivism gains. Weber Human Services, in connection with researchers at the University of Utah, conducted a quasi-experimental study of women offenders treated with EBPs using an implementation framework to deliver the services and found a 58% reduction in recidivism for the experimental group. This presentation will cover implementation basics, along with the results of the recidivism study.
About the Presenter
Darin Carver is an Associate Clinical Director at Weber Human Services. Over the past 25 years, Darin Carver has worked as a therapist, program developer, and administrator in criminal justice . . . read more.
Desistance in the Context of Parole
Abstract
Desistance scholars argue that identity transformation is a central component of the processes through which offenders terminate a criminal career. Offenders’ ability to craft a credible self-narrative that is incompatible with offending is essential to maintaining desistance in the stressed social context within which many offenders reside after release from prison. In recent decades, community correctional programs have been largely oriented around risk assessment, which may serve to reify the criminal identity and thereby interrupt the development of a nonoffending self-narrative. However, desistance research has largely focused on the impact of normative life events, rather than formal justice interventions, on desistance. The current study uses a narrative criminological approach to explore identity formation in a sample of 50 recently paroled male offenders. Using data from semistructured interviews, this study explored the ways parole practice served to enhance or disrupt the development of credible desistance narratives. Results identified three types of desistance narrative typologies: committed, ambivalent, and nondesistance. Participants’ experience of parole differed across some domains according to typology, but tended to be similar when looking at the impact of parole on the maintenance of a credible desistance narrative. This study advances the knowledge of the impact of formal justice interventions on normative desistance processes, with implications for criminal justice policy and practice.
About the Presenters
Dr. Christian Sarver is the Associate Director and Lead Senior Research Analyst at UCJC. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Utah College of Social Work. Her dissertation examined the impact of parole on desistance . . . read more.
Dr. Kort Prince is a Research Assistant Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Utah. He received his Ph.D. in Social Psychology (with a Quantitative focus) . . . read more.
Derek Mueller is a Senior Research Analyst in the Utah Criminal Justice Center at the University of Utah. He is also currently completing a doctoral degree in Criminal Justice . . . read more.
Disproportionate Minority Contact in the Juvenile Court: Prevalence, Implications, and Reduction Efforts
Abstract
Prior research has found that disproportionate minority contact (DMC) is a problem at various decision-making points in the juvenile justice system. Some have argued that this is the result of discriminatory decisions by system actors, while others assert that it is due to legally relevant factors (e.g., differences in offense seriousness). This presentation provides an overview of the most recent research on DMC in juvenile courts, including its prevalence, potential causes, and implications. In addition, I will discuss a number of DMC reduction efforts that have been implemented in the U.S., with a focus on the empirical evidence of their ability to reduce DMC (or not).
About the Presenter
Dr. Shaun Gann is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at Boise State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. He has also worked as a Parole Officer . . . read more.
Domestic Violence in Utah: Enhancing Community Safety through Public Policy and Legislation
Abstract
This session will explore recent progress in advancing public policy in Utah that more effectively responds to both domestic violence victims and offenders, with the ultimate goal of enhancing community safety. While we still have work to do, we will hear from current Utah legislators about recent progress in this area, practical and political dynamics at play, and how we can overcome barriers we still encounter to evidence-based policy approaches to this complex community issue.
About the Panelists
Representative Stephanie Pitcher works as a Deputy District Attorney and prosecutes a variety of criminal offenses, including financial crimes, drug distribution, domestic violence, cases involving child abuse . . . read more.
Representative Angela Romero graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah. In 2012, she won election to represent House District 26 . . . read more.
Representative Lowry Snow obtained his undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University and his Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University. He is a practicing attorney in St. George, Utah. In 2012 he was appointed to fill a vacancy . . . read more.
*Erin Jemison (panel facilitator) is the Director of Public Policy at YWCA Utah, advocating for Utah women and girls in the areas of economic stability, racial justice and civil rights . . . read more.
Engaging Hispanic Adolescents in Substance Use Treatment
Abstract
This presentation will focus on principles and strategies for effectively engaging Hispanic adolescents and their families, referred from Juvenile Justice, in community-based substance use treatment.
About the Presenter
Dr. Jason Burrow-Sánchez is a Professor of Counseling Psychology in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Utah. He is also the Director of the Mountain Plains Region 8 Prevention Technology Transfer Center . . . read more.
Examining Police Use of Force Training and Policy: Research Evidence, Implementation, and Evaluation
Abstract
Following recent highly publicized use of force incidents in the United States, police agencies, academic researchers, and criminal justice policymakers across the nation have turned a critical eye towards law enforcement policies and training pertaining to the use of force. This presentation will discuss the evidence-base and real-world implementation of police training and policy pertaining to use of force and officer de-escalation tactics. Specifically, presenting findings from a multi-disciplinary systematic review of de-escalation training evaluations, this presentation will examine what is known regarding the effectiveness of de-escalation training. Further, this presentation will highlight the reform efforts of the University of Cincinnati’s Police Division (UCPD), including changes to use of force training and policy, following a critical incident in 2015. An evaluation of the new use of force training implemented within this agency will be discussed in detail.
About the Presenters
Gabrielle T. Isaza is a Research Associate for the joint International Association of Chiefs of Police/University of Cincinnati Center for Police Research and Policy as well as a doctoral candidate in the School of Criminal Justice . . . read more.
Hannah D. McManus is a Research Associate for the IACP/UC Center for Police Research and Policy as well as a doctoral candidate in the School of Criminal Justice . . . . read more.
Examining Revocation Patterns through the Lens of Utah’s Criminal Justice Reform
Abstract
In the state of Utah, a revocation to prison from parole can occur in two instances, (1) if the offender failed to comply with their supervision conditions and (2) if the offender was convicted of a new crime while on parole. It should be emphasized that changes in revocation rates through time may not speak to changes in offender behavior but rather the nature and enforcement of criminal justice policies and practices. Additionally, it may not be reflective of general health trends and other dynamic social phenomena. With this in mind, this study examines revocation patterns through the lens of Utah’s current criminal justice policies using a one-year follow-up time. Its main findings may be summarized as follows:
- While ceilings on parole revocations are reducing parole violators’ prison length of stay, previous parole violators are continuing to cycle through the system. Such findings hint at an increased need of effective interventions for this on average, high risk population.
- Increases in new convictions while on parole are being driven by non-violent offenses. Such non-violent offenses are primarily comprised of drug possession only crimes.
The above findings warrant a closer look at the causes behind revocations, their interplay with revocation length of stay, implementation fidelity, organizational capacity, and current enforcement practices. Overall, nuances of these findings highlight the continuing need to collect and monitor data as well as the importance of conducting further analyses to elucidate current criminal justice trends.
About the Presenters
Dr. Sofia Nystrom has been with CCJJ since 2014 and currently serves as the Commission's Policy and Research Director. She has a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Utah, with an emphasis on applied statistics. Her work focuses on providing accessible studies . . . read more.
Dr. Van Nguyen has been with CCJJ since 2017 where she started as the Disproportionate Minority Contact (DMC) Coordinator and since then has transitioned to the role of research consultant . . . read more.
Experiences of Immigrant Women who Applied for a VAWA Self-Petition in the United States: Qualitative Analysis of Legal Affidavits
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant human rights and public health issue. In particular, immigrant woman may face more challenges than non-immigrant woman when trying to leave an abusive partner. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in the United States (U.S.) allows spouse-sponsored immigrant women who have experienced IPV to self-petition for legal status without assistance from their abusive partner. The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of abused immigrant women and their interaction with VAWA. Seventy affidavits from the victims’ legal immigration self-petitions were qualitatively analyzed. Results showed that women who applied for VAWA feared being in a worse position if they did leave and as such often delayed their leaving from an abusive relationship. Some women were unaware of available resources for leaving an abusive relationship. Additionally, community resources were not always beneficial for these women. Because of the added complication surrounding the documentation status for immigrant female victims of IPV, this study suggests that more care and resources should be dedicated to this vulnerable population of women. Educational opportunities for immigrant women and community organizations are essential so immigrant women experiencing IPV can escape their harmful situation and achieve positive health outcomes.
About the Presenter
Dr. Akiko Kamimura is Associate Professor in Sociology at the University of Utah. She has a broad background in health research, with specific training and expertise in social determinants of health, health disparities, minority and immigrant health, intimate partner violence . . . read more.
Exploring Perspectives on the Purpose and Impact of Restitution, Fines, and Fees
Abstract
The imposition of fines, fees, and restitution on convicted offenders has increased by 40 percentage points since 1991. Monies collected through sentencing are intended to punish offenders and deter future criminal involvement, compensate victims of crime for injury or loss, and cover criminal justice system costs. For victims, these monies can be used to cover medical and counseling expenses, lost or damaged property, lost wages, and other crime-related expenses. Receipt of restitution is one of the most important factors influencing victims’ satisfaction with the criminal justice process. Research also shows monetary sanctions may have substantial negative impacts for adult and juvenile offenders, and their communities, including financial instability, limited employment opportunities, reincarceration, and recidivism. This panel discussion will consider the purpose and impact of monetary sanctions from the perspective of victim services, corrections, offender treatment, and sentencing.
About the Panelists
Doug Fawson has worked for the Utah Department of Corrections for thirty-five years. He spent nine years working at the Utah State Prison, followed by twelve years with Adult Probation and Parole . . . read more.
Robbi Poulson leads juvenile justice research efforts for the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (CCJJ) and is a doctoral candidate in the Economics Department at the University of Utah.
Gary Scheller is the Director of the Utah Office for Victims of Crime (UOVC). Gary began his career in victim services in 1992 as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for child victims in Utah’s Second Judicial District . . . read more.
Marshall Thompson is the director of the Utah Sentencing Commission, which publishes sentencing guidelines and advises all three branches of the Utah government on criminal sentencing . . . read more.
*Jess Shade (panel facilitator) is a master’s student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program at the University of Utah. She is currently employed as a research assistant with both the Utah Criminal Justice Center and the Department of Psychiatry . . . read more.
Fathers’ Involvement with their Children, Social Support Networks, and Attitudes toward Risky Behaviors, Crime, and the Law
Abstract
Dramatic increases in the American imprisonment rate since the mid-1970s have had important implications for fathers of lower socioeconomic status, notably around their involvement with their children, social support networks, and legal system. Although a body of literature that examines the impact fathers’ incarceration has on their involvement with their children and social support network exists, there is scarcity of literature examining the impact men and fathers’ involvement with their children and social support network has on their attitude toward risky behaviors, crime, and the law—legal system. Using ecological systems and social capital theory, this study using pilot-study data from 180 individuals on parole and probation or are incarcerated in one Intermountain Western state, will examine two questions: (1) What is the relationship between fathers’ involvement with their children and their attitude toward risky behaviors, crime, and the law—legal system? (2) What is the relationship between fathers’ involvement with their social support system and their attitude toward risky behaviors, crime, and the law—legal system? The findings from this study will have implications for policy-makers and practitioners working with fathers, children, families, and communities.
About the Presenter
Dr. Jason Castillo is an Associate Professor with the University of Utah's College of Social Work and the Director of the Bachelors of Social Work Program. Jason received his Ph.D. in Social Work from Arizona State University . . . read more.
Implementation of Restorative Justice in Juvenile and Criminal Justice Settings: Opportunities and Barriers
Abstract
Participation in restorative justice programs has been shown to decrease recidivism, increase participant satisfaction with the justice process, and better meet the needs of offenders, victims, and the community. Panelists will discuss their experiences infusing restorative justice values, principles, and practices into existing education settings and criminal and juvenile justice systems.
About the Panelists
Chelsie Acosta is a secondary educator in Salt Lake City School District. Chelsie teaches ELD and Latinos In Action. She currently serves on the Board of ACLU of Utah, Utah National Association Multicultural Education (NAME) Board, . . . read more.
Bart MacKay is a Restorative Dialogue Program Coordinator for the Utah Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC). In addition to facilitating restorative dialogue in various settings . . . read more.
Sam Mekrut is the chair of the board of Mountain Mediation Center, a community-based nonprofit serving Summit and Wasatch counties in Utah. Mountain Mediation Center uses mediation and restorative practices . . . read more.
Dr. Paula Smith is a developmental psychologist with expertise in school-based preventive intervention. Her research uses a risk and protective factors framework to understand youth involvement with risky behavior . . . read more.
Caroline Ross, M.P.A., (panel facilitator) is a Senior Director of Policy Innovation with the University of Utah’s Sorenson Impact Center within the David Eccles School of Business. Caroline works collaboratively with government . . . read more.
Inequality in Access to Mental Health and Health Care: Recommendations for Reducing Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Juvenile Justice System
Abstract
Youth from historically under-represented groups are beleaguered by poor access to health and mental health services as well as higher rates of violence and victimization. This presentation describes qualitative findings from a larger mixed methods study which sought to address improved identification, assessment, and diagnosis of factors impacting disproportionate minority contact (DMC) in the juvenile justice system. The study examined expert stakeholders’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators experienced by juvenile offenders and their families in their efforts to access mental health and health care services.
About the Presenter
Dr. Tiffany D. Baffour is Associate Professor and Program Director for the Master of Social Work Program at the University of Utah, College of Social Work. Dr. Baffour received her Ph.D. in Social Work from Howard University . . . read more.
Invest in Dads Too: An Employment Intervention for Criminal Justice Involved Fathers
Abstract
This presentation will provide preliminary results from a pilot study examining the impact of an intensive employment intervention on criminal justice involved fathers. The 12-month, ongoing program targets a range of criminogenic needs, including employment skills and opportunities, family instability, and antisocial thinking. This discussion will present results from the project’s first year, including: barriers to program participation, participant characteristics, services provided, and participants’ experience in the program.
About the Presenter
Dr. Christian Sarver is the Associate Director and Lead Senior Research Analyst at UCJC. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Utah College of Social Work. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Utah College of Social Work. Her dissertation examined the impact of parole on desistance . . . read more.
Mindfulness Based Interventions Reduce Opioid Misuse and Pain Medication Desire: Results from Two Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
This presentation will review two randomized controlled trials indicating that mindfulness-based interventions can reduce pain medication desire and decrease opioid misuse. First, pre-operative orthopedic surgery patients randomized to a brief mindfulness training reported immediate pain relief and reduced pain medication desire relative to active controls. Second, opioid treated chronic pain patients randomized to an 8-week mindfulness-based intervention reported decreased pain at post-treatment and reduced opioid misuse at 3-month follow-up relative to active controls.
About the Presenter
Dr. Adam Hanley is a Research Assistant Professor at the Center on Mindfulness and Integrative Health Intervention Development (C-MIIND) in the University of Utah College of Social Work. He is also a counseling psychologist . . . read more.
Opiates, Opioids and Obstetrics: The Impact of the Opidemic on Pregnant Women
Abstract
This presentation will review the impact of the opioid epidemic on pregnant women, treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) in pregnancy, and comprehensive care for women with OUD in pregnancy.
About the Presenter
Dr. Marcela Smid is a board-certified Maternal Fetal Medicine and Addiction Medicine physician at the University of Utah. She is the medical director of the Substance Use & Pregnancy – Recovery, Addiction, Dependence (SUPeRAD) specialty prenatal clinic. She is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) . . . read more.
The Opioid Crisis, How We Got Here, and Where We’re Headed: Antecedents, Contemporary Issues, and Future Directions
Abstract
The purpose of this presentation is to provide background information and current clinical-, system-, and policy-level information to conference attendees regarding the US opioid epidemic. Specifically, in 2017, 47,600 opioid-related deaths occurred in the United States, a nearly 6-fold increase since 1999. Beginning in the early 1990s, opioid prescribing and subsequent overdose rates skyrocketed. While prescribing practices shifted in response to the crisis, rates of opioid prescriptions are still roughly three times higher than they were in 1991. Additionally, efforts to curtail prescription opioid diversion and misuse have inadvertently led to an upswing in heroin use and heroin-related overdoses since 2010. Recently, the introduction of synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, into heroin and other street drugs has resulted in even greater rates of opioid-related overdoses. In addition to changes in prescribing practices, the opioid crisis is also being addressed through education and dissemination of the overdose-reversing drug, naloxone. Methadone maintenance plus psychosocial support remains the gold standard of treatment, while other forms of medication-assisted treatment are also proving efficacious, such as buprenorphine and long-acting naltrexone. Research regarding the effects of current and novel medications and treatment interventions is underway, in conjunction with policy change and attitudes to collectively combat this epidemic. While more work is yet to be done, the current opioid crisis has led to recent and ongoing changes in the policy surrounding drug-related crimes, and long-term treatment strategies.
About the Presenters
Dr. Gerald Cochran is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology at the University of Utah and serves as the Director of Research for the Program on Addiction Research, Clinical Care, Knowledge, and Advocacy (PARCKA) . . . read more.
Aryana Bryan earned a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan, where she was an Integrated Health Scholar. She is now pursuing a doctorate in Social Work . . . read more.
Predicting New Criminal Convictions while on Parole: The Role of Offense Type
Abstract
Understanding factors behind sustained criminal justice involvement is a primary focus of criminal justice research and professionals. Here we examine the relationship between offense type and new criminal convictions for offenders on parole in Utah. By analyzing 3,173 parolees released from Utah’s state prison in 2013 and 2016, we find that offenders convicted of a sex-offense have a reduced likelihood of being convicted of a new crime when compared to other offense types using an average follow-up time of 382.5 days. We further find that new criminal convictions while on parole are predominantly made up of non-violent offenses, with less than 2 percent of sex-offenders being re-convicted of a sex-related crime. The costs associated with incarceration and lengthy supervision terms merits a careful evaluation of the risk, severity, and cost of a particular offense to re-occur.
About the Presenter
Dr. Sofia Nystrom has been with CCJJ since 2014 and currently serves as the Commission's Policy and Research Director. She has a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Utah . . . read more.
Preventing Opioid Overdose Death: The Role of Naloxone Rescue Kits
Abstract
Participants will learn about the data surrounding our current opioid crisis, Utah state Naloxone access laws, how to recognize an opioid overdose, and how to use a naloxone rescue kit in responding to an overdose to save a life. A free kit will be provided to any interested attendee.
About the Presenters
Jennifer Plumb, MD, M.P.H. is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician with the University of Utah Department of Pediatrics and at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is also the Medical Director of Utah Naloxone . . . read more.
Jacob Zimmerli, Utah Naloxone, University of Utah
Previously Unsubmitted Sexual Assault Kits: Findings from Salt Lake County
Abstract
Sexual assault continues to be a major concern. One potential tool available to criminal justice personnel is a sexual assault kit (SAK). However, many jurisdictions have discovered previously unsubmitted/untested sexual assault kits. As jurisdictions begin testing these kits, questions have been raised. This presentation addresses findings from one of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) sites—Salt Lake County. Using surveys with victims of sexual assault and those conducting notifications, interviews with key stakeholders, surveys/participant observation from key meetings, and data on the kits themselves, this presentation explores Salt Lake County’s response to previously unsubmitted sexual assault kits. Covered include past barriers in Utah to the processing of sexual assault kits, research on the victim notification process, research on the multi-disciplinary response, and a look into victim, offender, and case characteristics from the original cases as well as post-testing response. Implications for policy and research will be discussed.
About the Presenter
Dr. Heather C. Melton is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the Criminology program at the University of Utah. Her research explores violence against women, specifically intimate partner abuse (IPA), stalking . . . read more.
Prison Visits and Reentry Social Support: Exploring Dimensions and Outcomes in New York and the Netherlands
Abstract
Conventional wisdom and a growing body of research suggest that prison visitation is beneficial to prisoners in custody and after release. Despite this, research on the dimensions of visitation remains underdeveloped. Also, scholarship rarely discerns whether visitation makes a unique contribution to outcomes or is simply an indicator of pre-existing differences, such as in social support. I examine features of visits in two distinct contexts: 1) longitudinal changes and the composition of visitor networks in New York and 2) visits by relational role in the Netherlands. I show the links between visits and recidivism and reentry social support, illustrating how policy choices and the correctional contexts shape both the dimensions and reentry outcomes.
About the Presenter
Dr. Audrey Hickert joined the Southern Illinois University faculty in 2019 after completing her Ph.D. at the University at Albany (SUNY). Before that, she conducted program and policy analysis at the Utah Criminal Justice Center (UCJC) . . . read more.
Rehabilitation and Reentry
Abstract
Despite great efforts to help, attempts to rehabilitate inmates and parolees are often undermined by the disconnect that exists between correctional facility and reentry programs. In this presentation, Dr. Harris will review research conducted on both rehabilitation and reentry and will use research and theory to propose potential solutions to bridge the gap between the two.
About the Presenter
Dr. Lish Harris is the chair of the Department of Applied Sociology and Criminal Justice at Dixie State University (DSU). He was the primary architect of DSU's baccalaureate degree in criminal justice . . . read more.
Screening and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and High Risk Sexual Behaviors in Utah's Juvenile Justice Facilities
Abstract
Since 2015, nurses and staff in all 18 Utah Juvenile Justice facilities verbally screen all youth admitted to their facilities for risk factors for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and high-risk behaviors. If the youth meet CDC-established urine screening for CT/GC is performed. As of June 30, 2019, nurses and staff have performed 7363 verbal screens and 5615 urine screens. The resultant data and therapies will be presented.
About the Presenter
Dr. Jennifer Clifton is an Associate Professor at the University Of Utah College Of Nursing. Dr. Clifton came to the University in 2005 when she began working as a Family Nurse Practitioner in Utah’s Juvenile Justice Services. In 2012, she became the Clinical Director of 9 Juvenile Justice clinics . . . read more.