Search Results (65)

This study examines how gentrification reshapes neighborhood crime through two underexplored dimensions: third places and demolitions. Traditional research on gentrification and crime has often relied on broad socioeconomic indicators, such as property values or median income, but these measures fail to capture the lived and place-based processes of neighborhood change. Drawing on place-in-neighborhood theory and routine activities theory, this research conceptualizes gentrification as a multidimensional transformation of social and physical space. Using data from Norfolk, Virginia (2015–2019), hierarchical linear models were employed to assess how the emergence of alcohol-licensed third places (e.g., bars, restaurants) and the issuance of demolition permits influenced community-level crime rates. Results indicate that third places decrease crimes against society but increase property crimes, while demolitions exert mixed effects depending on the offense type. By integrating spatial statistics and multilevel modeling, this study demonstrates the value of real-time municipal data for understanding neighborhood transformation. These results suggest that revitalization cannot be treated as a one-dimensional solution to urban crime. This work reframes gentrification as a contested process whose influence on crime depends on place, race, and neighborhood transformation. Full article

The purpose of this essay is not only to examine how Chicano and Mexican men navigate and negotiate street gangs, the criminal justice system, and self-destructive behaviors that dehumanize them, but also how they rehumanize themselves through the development of culturally rooted consciousness based on Indigenous cosmologies and epistemologies. It examines how these marginalized men integrate a Maya–Nahua philosophical syncretism with restorative and transformative justice practices, rooted in dialogue, that emphasize ethnic identity and social justice. Specifically, this piece focuses on the processes of re-indigenization and re-humanization that these men embrace within community-based spaces. The aim of this inquiry is twofold: (1) to understand the curative and culturally rooted cosmologies and practices of community-based healing circles to prevent self-destructive behaviors and (2) to identify the complexities of re-humanization and Indigenous-based pedagogies as a liberatory praxis that resists the discourses and mechanisms of dehumanization. Using Freire’s liberatory praxis framework, supplemented with indigenous pedagogies and qualitative methods, I argue that their engagement in re-indigenization facilitates their conversions as they begin to see themselves as subjects, rather than objects, subjugated by the created apparatuses of power or knowledge. The Círculo de Hombres plays a pivotal role in transforming men’s lives as they learn to see themselves as creators of historical knowledge and change agents, possessing the ability to transform themselves and the world around them. Full article

Given the complex risk factors associated with youth offending, a comprehensive approach is needed to support the reintegration of incarcerated youth. Canine-assisted interventions (CAIs), involving structured, facilitator-guided programs with dogs, have emerged as a strategy to promote human well-being while sometimes attending to animal wellness. This scoping review, conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, examines the characteristics and benefits of CAIs for youth aged 12–17 involved in the criminal justice system. This review included studies published in English through 2024, focusing exclusively on dog-based interventions. Studies were sourced from databases and grey literature between 1998 and 2020. This review maps program designs, objectives, participant profiles, practitioner qualifications, dog roles, and reported outcomes for the youth participants and dogs. Findings reveal that some studies reported improved participant behavioural, psychological, and social outcomes, while few found no significant differences or noted symptom worsening. Some studies noted that training dogs in a CAI may boost their chances of adoption. Gaps include non-standardized terminology, need for more research, inadequate handler training, and insufficient focus on animal welfare. The study concludes that standardized protocols, enhanced handler training, and rigorous program evaluation are essential for ethical and effective CAI implementation that contributes to the well-being and successful reintegration of youth following incarceration. Full article

One of the most prevailing arguments and goals for prison reform in the U.S. today is to “cut costs.” This austerity approach often directly undermines the pay, treatment, and conditions of those who work in prisons, which has deadly on-the-ground consequences. Using observable correlations between austerity, conditions of correctional work, and conditions of prison I develop a theoretical explanation for how an austerity approach to “fixing” prisons makes these institutions less safe and contributes to privatization. Correctional workers are key to prison safety and are often overlooked or vilified at the expense of forging effective and lasting solutions to the carceral crisis. Full article

Drug markets display varying levels of violence across urban contexts, and understanding the drivers behind these differences is essential for designing effective interventions. (1) Background: This study investigates why some cocaine markets are more violent than others, focusing on four cities: Ciudad Juárez, Pereira, Frankfurt, and Madrid. (2) Methods: Using fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), we examined complex configurations of institutional, social, and market-related factors. Data were collected through 56 semi-structured interviews and secondary sources from 2015 to 2020. (3) Results: The findings reveal that violence arises from specific combinations of factors rather than isolated variables. In Latin American cities, violence is associated with weak institutional control, dense criminal networks, high social vulnerability, and fragmented market structures. In contrast, European cities show lower levels of violence due to stronger institutions, effective law enforcement, and well-regulated markets. (4) Conclusions: Addressing violence in cocaine markets requires context-specific strategies that take into account institutional capacity, market dynamics, and broader social conditions. These findings challenge simplistic views of drug market violence and emphasize the need for tailored interventions to mitigate violence effectively. Full article

Gender-based violence (GBV) and traffic offenses pose significant public health challenges and contribute to widespread social issues globally. This study examines the sociodemographic and psychological profiles of individuals who commit traffic offenses and GBV, focusing on three alternative penal programs: TASEVAL (for traffic offenses), PRIA-MA, and reGENER@r (both for GBV). The study involved 54 participants distributed across these programs, using various psychometric tests to assess their profiles. Participants across the three programs (TASEVAL, PRIA-MA, and reGENER@R) were comparable in age (mean range 39.13–40.69 years) and nationality, with roughly half having prior contact with the justice system. Educational levels varied, with TASEVAL participants mainly completing secondary education (43.8%), PRIA-MA participants primary education (43.8%), and reGENER@R participants post-secondary education (59.1%). Employment status differed slightly, with TASEVAL and reGENER@R participants mainly employed (62.5% and 63.6%, respectively), while most PRIA-MA participants were unemployed (56.3%). Family characteristics varied across groups. In TASEVAL, having a partner and no children predominated (62.5% and 31.3%); in PRIA-MA, not having a partner and having two children predominated (62.5% and 37.5%); and, in reGENER@R, not having a partner and having one child predominated (59.1% and 31.8%). No significant differences were observed in sociodemographic variables. Regarding psychological characteristics, results across all groups indicate a marked presence of psychopathological symptoms and difficulties in emotional intelligence domains, with a significant correlation between psychological traits and coping strategies. These findings highlight the importance of tailoring alternative penal measures to the specific characteristics of each group to enhance effectiveness and reduce recidivism. Full article

Against the backdrop of historic and contemporary attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion, what could ethical accountability and a call to action look like in Hispanic Serving Institutions? There are only a handful of institutions in the nation to simultaneously hold the Carnegie distinction of “very high research activity” and the designation of Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Yet some of these institutions have historically provided little if any resources to support and retain Hispanic-identifying students, and when programs exist, they tend to be performative rather than substantive. We employ intersectionality as critical inquiry and praxis (action/reflection) to name and shed light on the various mechanisms that continue to marginalize Hispanic students. In this case study, we attempt to examine institutional administrative data to shine a light on the underrepresentation of Latine students and faculty within the institution. Instead, however, we describe the practice of institutional and statistical gaslighting we encountered while trying to obtain this data. We then utilize content analysis of archival documents of two university departments and combine these findings with autoethnographic data to highlight both the past and current state of Latine faculty hires. We further examine the lack of student services and the precarious funding situations of Hispanic-centered programs at the heart of Hispanic student success, and the impact of Presidential Executive orders prohibiting the use of federal funds to support these resources. Finally, we include steps that can lead to institutional transformation as an ethical imperative to serve all students. Full article

The communities that develop in prison are often small, insular, and central to the experience of incarceration. In these carceral communities, the deaths of individuals—especially those integral to these groups—can echo heavily within a housing unit, and even an entire institution, resulting in a collective experience of grief. While grief is experienced universally, it manifests in unique ways in the carceral context. The shared sorrow, loss, and sadness characterizing the experiences of those left behind are central to this form of mourning, and among imprisoned communities, grief is experienced uniquely. This paper draws on semi-structured interviews with 58 men imprisoned during the COVID-19 pandemic in an institution where over a dozen men died in a relatively short time. Their experiences suggest that, while grieving in prison is often complicated and may be repressed by both the individual and the carceral institution, bereavement may take a different form when experienced collectively and broadly within the carceral context. We develop the concept of mass carceral grief to explain this phenomenon. While unique in many ways, the lessons on carceral grief from this public health crisis can inform our broader understanding of how loss impacts those incarcerated. Full article

Background: Urban institutions offer quality post-secondary education to individuals who may not otherwise have access, yet do not always provide necessary resources for racially marginalized students. Students at primarily White, urban institutions face race-based stressors, such as microaggressions. According to stress and coping theory, individuals respond to stressors through coping strategies, which differ in effectiveness and subsequent outcomes. Social justice advocacy (SJA) represents a potentially important avenue for coping with discrimination, yet the relationship between microaggressions and SJA, as well as the association of task-focused coping with SJA, is unclear. Methods: A total of 96 students with racially marginalized identities were surveyed. Results: Analyses revealed significant associations between experiencing racial microaggressions, coping, and engagement in SJA, as well as a partial mediations of the associations between racial microaggressions and engagement in SJA through task-focused coping. Conclusions: The study offers support for the established association between discrimination and coping, including SJA. Results indicate that consideration should be given to SJA and task-focused coping as encouraged responses to racial microaggressions. Future studies should evaluate the outcome of these coping efforts and consider alternative ways of coping. Full article

Background: Individuals who are victimized and exploited by the heinous crimes of human trafficking (HT) access healthcare during their exploitation, yet gaps in education on HT content exist in prelicensure nursing programs. This study explored the impact of an HT simulation on nursing students’ preparedness in the identification of victims as well as their perceptions of the impact of this educational intervention on future practices. Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a qualitative component was used. A convenience sample of 120 nursing students were recruited. The participants completed a pretest survey, viewed a preparatory education video, and participated in the simulation followed by a debriefing, a 20-min video, and posttest survey. Results: More than 3/4 of the participants reported no previous exposure to this content. A paired sample t-test showed efficacy (p < 0.001) with a Cohen’s d > 0.8, illustrating an increase in knowledge gained. The qualitative data yielded four themes: eye-opening, educational and informative, increased awareness, and preparedness. Conclusions: Nurses are well-positioned to identify, treat, and respond to victims of HT. The findings underscore the critical need to incorporate comprehensive HT content into prelicensure nursing curricula. Through integration of an HT simulation, future nurses can be better prepared to address this pervasive issue, ultimately improving victim outcomes and ensuring progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 of Gender Equality and Goal 16 of Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. In addition, addressing this topic in prelicensure nursing education ensures that future nurses are not only clinically competent but also morally and emotionally prepared to handle the complexities of HT in their professional roles. Full article

Social work has historically operated as an extension of the carceral state, embedding policing, surveillance, and punishment into youth-serving institutions under the guise of care. This paper examines carceral seepage—the infiltration of punitive logics into social work practice—across child welfare, education, and juvenile legal, revealing how these systems function as interconnected circuits of criminalization rather than support. Using abolitionist frameworks, we critique social work’s complicity in punitive interventions and address common concerns about safety, scalability, and sustainability. Instead of reforming oppressive institutions, we argue for a fundamental transformation of social work, advocating for non-carceral models such as community-led crisis response, restorative justice, and mutual aid. By divesting from punishment and investing in collective care, abolitionist social work can move beyond harm reduction and toward genuine liberation. Full article

Young people under the care of child protection agencies are at increased risk of entering the criminal justice system. Residential youth organisations support young people who are unable to reside with their families or in foster care. Youth workers in these environments ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people in their care, consequently supporting the wellbeing of the overall community. This research explored the views and experiences of Queensland residential youth workers via a focus group interview. The data captured a thick description of service delivery practices. Constructivist Grounded Theory was used to conceptualise a theoretical framework based on the various empirical realities of participants. The findings highlight occasions where complex power dynamics had damaging consequences for youth workers and young people. Participants explored systemic constraints and structural inequalities, thus detailing the implications of top-down organisational structures on their service delivery, safety, and outcomes for young people. Participants were concerned about the implications of interrupted attachment and young people’s progression into crime. Practice recommendations centre around improving the disconnection between front-line realities and systemic hierarchies. Residential out-of-home care service delivery should focus on building community connection and belonging; mental, emotional and physical safety; collaborative care; and support. Full article

Childhood trauma has been associated with criminal behaviour and a variety of psychopathologies. Furthermore, it is known that emotional dysregulation (ED) predicts anxiety and depression and can be a product of traumatic experiences. In order to develop effective interventions for offenders’ rehabilitation and prevent recidivism, it is essential to fully understand their mental health and its relation with previous child trauma experiences and ED. This study involved a sample of 100 male inmates incarcerated in seven different prisons in the northern region of Portugal. The following measures were used: the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form (CTQ-SF), the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS). Our findings suggest that individuals who experienced physical and sexual abuse are more likely to perpetrate violent crimes and that ED increases anxiety and depressive symptoms in individuals with traumatic symptoms. In conclusion, it is imperative to provide psychological support to this population, and interventions need to be adapted according to trauma exposure. Full article

American citizens are significantly more likely to experience property crime victimization than violent crime victimization. During a staffing crisis, police prioritize limited resources in combating serious crime; however, property crimes remain impactful to the community. Therefore, agencies need to consider innovative ways to control property crime, such as “super-cocooning” strategies that alert residents to recent offenses. These strategies intend to empower the community to implement guardianship and crime prevention measures. For these strategies to be effective, they require public buy-in and support. The present study implements a preregistered information provision survey experiment (N = 2412), similar to the strategy of super-cocooning, to assess whether the public is more likely to support such strategies to combat property crime. Although the sample held overall high support of this strategy, exposure to a super-cocooning door hanger prime produced no significant changes in perceived effectiveness. However, there was observed racial heterogeneity in the treatments: non-White respondents assigned to the treatment relative to White respondents experienced significantly increased support of super-cocooning strategies. Implications for light-footprint crime control strategies, particularly during a staffing crisis, are discussed. Full article

Social work has long operated at the intersection of care and control—nowhere is this more apparent than in its treatment of sex-working parents. This article draws on participatory research with thirteen sex-working parents in California to examine how the child welfare system, family court, and public benefit infrastructures extend punitive surveillance under the guise of support. Utilizing the framework of prison industrial complex abolition, the analysis identifies three key findings: first, family policing systems often mirror the coercive dynamics of abusive relationships that sex work helped participants to escape; second, access to social services is contingent on the performance of respectability, with compliance met not with care but with suspicion and deprivation; and third, sex-working parents enact abolitionist praxis by creating new systems of safety and stability through mutual aid when state systems fail. As social work reckons with its complicity in the carceral state, the everyday practices of sex-working parents offer a powerful blueprint for care rooted in trust, unconditional positive regard, and self-determination. Full article