Articles tagged with Justice
A University of Wisconsin Oshkosh study found that treating people like people makes life easier for both ends of the power dynamic in jail. Interpersonal communication skills are key to diffusing explosive situations and avoiding physical force, according to research by assistant criminal justice professor Matt Richie.
A Northwestern University-led team has developed an AI-powered platform to make federal court records publicly available, enabling researchers to analyze and evaluate the justice system. The tool aims to provide quantitative feedback to fix variations in judges' decisions on fee waivers, ultimately promoting fair access to justice.
The COVID-19 pandemic is having a disproportionate impact on environmental justice communities, who are already vulnerable to poor air and water quality, limited access to healthcare, and socioeconomic hardship. These disparities in health outcomes and mortality rates highlight the need for urgent attention and policy changes.
A new study in Washington state found that police officers have varying concerns about the legalization of cannabis, including its effects on youth and impaired driving. The study's findings can inform other states' efforts to address legalization.
The COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about the allocation of healthcare resources in the UK. Dr Sabrina Germain argues that the liberal egalitarian conception of distributive justice is being replaced by a utilitarian approach prioritizing patients' needs. The NHS will need to address delays in treatment and reassess public health...
Engineers are developing a rapid test kit for identifying body fluids at crime scenes, which will improve the speed and accuracy of investigations. The disposable tool can detect multiple types of body fluid protein biomarkers from small samples.
Charlotte Gill is leading a project to develop a guidebook and online training course for police agencies in small and rural communities. The project aims to translate evidence-based crime reduction best practices into actionable recommendations for these agencies.
Researchers found that modern people's judgments of crime severity align with ancient laws, indicating a universal capacity for making justice intuitions. The study provides evidence for the shared sense of justice that underlies legal codes, shedding light on the origins of laws.
Detained adolescents experience high rates of mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and neurodevelopment disabilities. A whole-of-system approach is needed to address health and social inequalities in childhood and adolescence.
The grant will fund a conference and policy brief development to address the challenges faced by autistic individuals in the justice system. Autistic individuals are at increased risk of negative outcomes due to lack of understanding and inadequate support.
A North Carolina State University study found that being convicted of a crime is associated with a decline in physical health, even without jail time. The research also confirms previous work on the adverse mental health effects of arrests, regardless of charges or outcomes.
A new study finds that human trafficking victims often distrust the police due to inadequate training and biases. Victims are reluctant to provide details about their crimes, leading to reduced effectiveness in detecting and preventing crime.
The Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) aims to develop effective intervention and treatment strategies for justice-involved populations with OUD. Research centers will study evidence-based medications, behavioral interventions, and comprehensive patient-centered treatments in 15 states and Puerto Rico.
A study published by the American Psychological Association found that high school seniors' confidence in law enforcement declined significantly between 2006 and 2017, while their faith in religious organizations and schools remained relatively stable. The researchers also discovered racial and ethnic disparities in trust, with black t...
A study found that federal courts in areas with traditionally welcoming Hispanic immigration handed out similar sentences to non-Hispanic defendants. However, courts in new destinations and areas with limited Hispanic immigration sentenced U.S. citizen and non-citizen Hispanics more harshly, especially those who were undocumented. The ...
A recent study by the University of Washington found that private companies are profiting from the forced participation of individuals in the justice system. The research highlights the need for policymakers to develop transparent oversight to ensure that private arrangements do not impose undue burdens on those involved.
A European research project called Just4All is analyzing barriers to access to justice for people with disabilities and providing training to legal professionals. The project also includes an online course, database, and analysis of regulations and case law.
A systematic review by the Public Health Agency of Canada found that there is a negligible risk of transmitting HIV during sex when an individual has a suppressed viral load of less than 200 copies/mL. Condom use also significantly reduces transmission risk.
A historian challenges the traditional view of the Domesday Book, a famous document created by William the Conqueror in 11th-century England. New research suggests that the final version of the book was compiled years after its initial publication, and that it was not the top-down, orderly bureaucratic enterprise previously thought to ...
A new study from North Carolina State University investigated the decomposition of juvenile and infant remains to provide crucial information for criminal cases. The researchers found that the rate of decomposition is similar to adult remains, with smaller remains decomposing faster due to body size.
New research identified a common way to define absenteeism and classified youth's attendance based on degree. Programs for youth with the highest rates of absenteeism were more successful than those for youth with fewer absences.
Research from Germany, Netherlands, and Croatia highlights the importance of adopting special laws and procedures for youth aged 18-25 in the US. These countries apply juvenile sanctions and facilities, divert more juveniles, and rely on educational approaches to address delinquent behavior. By considering these European strategies, US...
A team of researchers is creating a comprehensive database on US school shootings, tracking incidents since 1990. The National Institute of Justice project will help law enforcement and school administrators understand the causes of K-12 school violence and inform effective prevention strategies.
A randomized trial of PHAT Life, a role-playing intervention, found that teens on probation reported a reduction in number of sexual partners and an increase in consistent condom use. The program showed promise in reducing sexual risk-taking among high-risk youth.
A team of psychologists and political scientists found that people who perceive themselves as part of a disadvantaged group are more likely to support populist ideologies. Long-lasting feelings of group disadvantage were also associated with an unrealistic belief in the greatness of their nation.
Researchers developed a predictive model using childhood blood-lead level records and census data to identify high-risk areas. The model highlights the importance of targeting poor and minority neighborhoods with interventions and support.
A Sam Houston State University researcher is studying child abuse cases filed directly with police, aiming to strengthen the safety net for abused children in Texas. The study aims to determine if every child in need receives critical services at an earlier point in the investigation.
A study found that people from different cultural backgrounds change their language when lying, with Black African and South Asian participants using more first-person pronouns to distance themselves from the lie. The results challenge Western stereotypes on linguistic cues to deception.
Researchers found that UK police forces used 'out of court resolutions' in 5,466 domestic abuse incidents, including serious crimes like actual bodily harm and threat to kill. The study calls for an immediate stop to street-level resolutions in domestic abuse cases.
Experiments reveal that using the protective concept of 'guardian' instead of 'warrior' to describe police can influence people's attitudes towards law enforcement. Participants who saw the police as 'guardians' felt the justice system was more fair and effective than those who considered them 'warriors'.
A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that Supreme Court justices are less likely to side with briefs using flashy adjectives and emotionally charged language. Using minimal emotional language increases a petitioner's chances of winning by 29%, while respondents can win with certainty when using objective tone.
A randomized control trial tested the HOPE program against traditional PAU, finding no significant differences in re-arrest rates or time to re-arrest. The study suggests that strict supervision practices can be effective, but more work is needed to determine the model's effectiveness for specific types of probationers.
Researchers will develop a situation-based prevention approach to address campus sexual assault, identifying and addressing risk factors. The project aims to provide culturally responsive practices and policies for survivors of domestic violence.
Research by Sam Houston State University reveals that restorative justice programs are more effective in reducing recidivism rates than traditional court processing. The study found that even minimal interventions had a significant impact on reducing re-offending rates.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia found that eyewitness memories are biased against black suspects in drive-by shootings, with incorrect recall rates as high as 80%. This study highlights the potential for wrongful convictions and emphasizes the need to consider eyewitness testimony's limitations in the justice system.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that adult-onset offenders have a history of anti-social behavior from childhood and are more likely to struggle with mental health issues. The study, which tracked nearly 1,000 New Zealanders, suggests that the court system may not be addressing the root causes of crime in adults.
The new law allows OSHA to increase fines by 80% due to inflation, making maximum charges $12,600 for serious violations. The Departments of Justice and Labor are coupling worker safety with criminal penalties, including environmental and fraud charges.
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that youth offenders face a significantly higher risk of early death as they become more involved in the judicial system. The study analyzed 518 youth offender deaths and found that mortality rates rose with increasing levels of interaction with the justice system.
A new study suggests that lawyers' deep knowledge of law has little impact on civil court cases. Instead, the difference lies in their ability to assist with procedures, navigate relationships, and phrase key phrases. This expertise can lead to better outcomes for those representing themselves.
A new study finds that arrest rates for women have surged, while domestic abuse laws have led to more women being charged for defending themselves. The authors argue that the justice system is 'chipping away' at women's rights and need to be treated seriously.
Research with thieving puppets shows that three- and five-year-old children will return stolen cookies to victims, prioritizing the victim's welfare over punishing the thief. This early sense of justice highlights toddlers' ability to act out of concern for others.
A University of Pennsylvania study found a 3-5% reduction in recidivism among juvenile offenders processed as adults for felony drug offenses. This suggests that processing these juveniles in the adult system may not uniformly increase offending and may actually reduce it in some circumstances.
A study by RAND Corporation found that a community justice court in San Francisco significantly reduces the risk of rearrest among low-level offenders. The court's multifaceted approach, including access to services and reduced time between arrest and court appearance, contributes to lower recidivism rates.
A recent study by University of Illinois professor Rebecca Sandefur found that 46% of respondents dealt with civil justice situations alone, while 16% took no action. The most common negative consequences reported were health impacts and financial problems.
A global approach is necessary to combat massive data breaches like the one that hit Target, a Michigan State University cyber security expert argues. The report found that many hackers operate in Russia or on websites where users communicate in Russian, making it harder for authorities to track them.
The minimum age of criminal responsibility is a contentious issue in modern juvenile justice systems. Experts debate the age at which children are considered mature enough to be held responsible, with many arguing for reforms to the current laws and policies.
Researchers found that individuals released from the justice system have a high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections within the first year. Specifically, ex-offenders had a 16% incidence rate of contracting an STI within the first 365 days of release.
A study by University of Central Florida associate professor Kareem Jordan found that Blacks are more likely than whites to believe race played a role in the shooting of Trayvon Martin. Hispanics are less likely to follow the case closely, while more educated respondents perceived race as a factor.
A recent study has identified 10 statistically significant factors that distinguish wrongful convictions from 'near misses' in the US. These factors include state death penalty culture/state punitiveness, prosecution withheld evidence, and forensic evidence errors.
State supreme court justices who don't face voters are generally more effective than their elected counterparts, according to research led by Princeton University political scientists. The study found that appointed justices bring a higher quality of information to the decision-making process and are less likely to make errors.
Researchers at Rutgers Center on Public Security are using a $500,000 grant from the National Institute of Justice to conduct risk terrain modeling research. The approach, called RTM, predicts crime hotspots by analyzing historical data and environmental factors.
The latest volume of Crime and Justice series explores how prosecutors exercise discretion, with a focus on equality, justice, and rationality. It presents case studies from the US and abroad to identify best practices in prosecutor behavior.
A Michigan State University-led team is working with Puerto Rican police to improve homicide investigation techniques, aiming to solve more homicides and reduce the murder rate. The goal is to increase clearance rates from 25% to 65% and lower the homicide rate below 20 per 100,000 people.
New eyewitness identification procedures being adopted by police departments across the US may lead to fewer correct identifications while reducing false errors. Researchers raise concerns that these changes could have unintended consequences and policymakers need to carefully weigh the data before making policy decisions.
A University of Washington study found that sex-offender registries inflate counts by as much as 60%, with only 43% of listed offenders actually living in designated communities. The discrepancy is largely attributed to differences in data collection and reporting procedures among states.
A 24-month research project aims to develop a national profile of police integrity by analyzing police crime committed by sworn law enforcement officers. The study will determine the nature and extent of police crime in the US and how law enforcement agencies discipline officers who are arrested.
A report by the University of Illinois sociology professor Rebecca Sandefur found that access to civil legal assistance depends on where you live, not your need. States with limited means often lack coordinated services nationwide or within communities.
The proposed WEO would bring together specialized global bodies like the WTO and WHO. The organization aims to rationalize overlapping processes and make environment more integral to overall sustainability.
A new study funded by the National Institute of Justice will investigate the issue of untested rape kits in Houston and develop strategies to solve the problem. The project includes collaboration between researchers from Sam Houston State University, the University of Texas at Austin, and law enforcement agencies.
Researchers found that demographic trends and statistical aberrations may skew statistics on a recent drop in black violent crime. Adjusting for the Hispanic effect revealed little overall change in the black percentage of violent crime, with slight increases in assault and homicide rates.