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Felson RB, Silver E. Rape or Homicide: Which Is Worse? ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:1001-1013. [PMID: 38267597 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02799-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Some people believe rape is just as serious as homicide, or more serious, contrary to law. We examined the prevalence of this belief and whether it reflects an individual's political ideology and moral foundations. Analyses were based on a national YouGov survey of 1,125 US adults gathered in 2021. We found that only 26% of respondents believed rape was less serious than homicide. Most (61%) believed rape and homicide were equally serious, while 13% believed rape was more serious. Social progressives (particularly progressive women) were more likely than social conservatives to view rape as more serious or just as serious as homicide. However, this tendency was partially offset by the tendency of social progressives to view harm as a key factor in judging the morality of a behavior. We suggest that social progressives view rape more seriously than social conservatives because of their concern for gender inequality, but this concern is partially offset by their concern with harm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard B Felson
- Department of Sociology and Criminology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Eric Silver
- Department of Sociology and Criminology, Penn State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
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2
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Novisky MA, Tostlebe J, Pyrooz D, Sanchez JA. "The COVID-19 pandemic and operational challenges, impacts, and lessons learned: a multi-methods study of U.S. prison systems". HEALTH & JUSTICE 2023; 11:51. [PMID: 38051375 PMCID: PMC10696818 DOI: 10.1186/s40352-023-00253-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic changed U.S. prison operations and influenced the daily work of prison staff. METHODS In collaboration with the National Institute of Corrections, we administered a survey to 31 state correctional agencies in April 2021 and conducted five focus groups with 62 correctional staff. RESULTS Using a framework of bounded rationality, we find that daily operations were strained, particularly in the areas of staffing, implementing public health policy efforts, and sustaining correctional programming. While prison systems and staff were under-prepared to respond to the pandemic, they attempted to address complex problems with the limited resources they had. CONCLUSIONS Results underscore a need in corrections for prioritizing further developments and reviews of collaborative policies and practices for managing crisis situations. Seeking avenues for leveraging technological innovations to improve operations and facilitate enhanced communication are especially warranted. Finally, meaningful reductions in the prison population, changes in physical infrastructure, and expansions of hiring and retention initiatives are critical for positioning prisons to manage future emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan A Novisky
- Department of Criminology and Sociology, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, UR 205, Cleveland, OH, 44115, USA.
| | - Jennifer Tostlebe
- School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Nebraska Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - David Pyrooz
- Department of Sociology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
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Silver E, Ulmer JT, Silver JR. Do moral intuitions influence judges' sentencing decisions? A multilevel study of criminal court sentencing in Pennsylvania. SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH 2023; 115:102927. [PMID: 37858364 DOI: 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2023.102927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The influence of judges' personal moral values on their sentencing decisions is of longstanding interest to researchers and the public. Few studies, however, have examined this influence empirically. Using a unique data set that combines a survey of 81 criminal court judges with archival data on their 40,385 criminal sentences over a 2-year period, and drawing on Moral Foundations Theory, we hypothesize that judges with strong care and fairness intuitions will sentence defendants less severely while judges with strong loyalty, authority, and sanctity intuitions will sentence defendants more severely. We further hypothesize that these effects will be heightened when the defendant is from a racial minority group. Results show that sentencing outcomes are largely independent of judges' moral intuitions, except that fairness intuitions tend to increase leniency, especially when the defendant is Black, and sanctity intuitions tend to decrease leniency. Implications for future research on sentencing are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Silver
- Department of Sociology, Penn State University, USA.
| | | | - Jason R Silver
- School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University, Newark, USA.
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Sanchez JA, Pyrooz DC. Gang intervention during COVID-19: A qualitative study of multidisciplinary teams and street outreach in Denver. JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE 2023; 84:102030. [PMID: 36647343 PMCID: PMC9834201 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2023.102030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Gang and violence intervention programs have become a staple in American cities. These programs often find themselves navigating turbulent political environments, a challenge that can be exacerbated during times of societal upheaval, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study examines how the pandemic impacted the forms and functions of the Gang Reduction Initiative of Denver (GRID). While GRID coordinates many strategies and collaborates with government and community groups across Denver, its centerpiece intervention entails multidisciplinary teams and street outreach, the focus of this qualitative study. We draw on 197 hours of field-based observation and 19 semi-structured interviews gathered as part of an evaluation of this intervention-initiated prior to the pandemic-to arrive at three key conclusions on the impact of COVID-19. First, upper-level administrative support can be a critical factor in agency efficacy and morale. City government's tenuous familiarity and ties with GRID was consequential to non-essential classification at the early stage of the pandemic. Second, agency leaders are crucial advocates for their agency, as GRID navigated many challenges without stable leadership and suffered as a result. Finally, interagency collaboration and relationships are slow to develop and easy to lose, made even more fragile in times of crisis. We discuss these findings in the context of large-scale federal investment in community violence intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David C Pyrooz
- Department of Sociology, University of Colorado Boulder, USA
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Jossie ML, Blumstein A, Miller JM. COVID, Crime & Criminal Justice: Affirming the Call for System Reform Research. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE : AJCJ 2022; 47:1243-1259. [PMID: 36540611 PMCID: PMC9754992 DOI: 10.1007/s12103-022-09721-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Early into the COVID-19 pandemic, Miller & Blumstein (2020) outlined a theoretical research program (TRP) oriented around themes of contagion control and containment, legal amnesty, system leniency, nonenforcement, and tele-justice. Here, two and a half years later, these lingering themes are revisited to advocate for empirical research informing criminal justice system reform. The pandemic created rare natural experiment research conditions that enable unique and potentially valuable insights on necessitated innovations that may indicate future justice practices and policies. Given the sweeping effects of the shutdown, examples are numerous ranging from staffing analyses to estimate agencies' personnel needs to ensure that basic public safety functions can be met after early retirements and resignations from virus risk and anti-police sentiment, the use of virtual communication in various legal proceedings at arrest, incarceration, and release junctures, and, especially, the risks versus benefits of early release. In addition to better identifying who should be jailed pre-trial, prioritization of calls for service, triaging of court cases, and hygiene and sanitation issues within facilities are other important examples central to a COVID and crime TRP. Attending research could demonstrate the utility of normative operations and identify shortfalls to be addressed during anomic conditions prior to another shutdown or similar event and present, through comparison of innovative and traditional derived outcomes, system reform and improvement opportunities. By seizing upon rare data made possible by natural experimental COVID generated conditions, researchers can meaningfully investigate the ongoing applicability of justice system adaptations mandated by the pandemic in terms of effectiveness and efficiency toward the interrelated goals of evidence-based practice discovery and justice reform.
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Kort-Butler LA. Pandemic, Politics, and Public Opinion About Crime. CRIMINAL JUSTICE REVIEW 2022. [PMCID: PMC9551665 DOI: 10.1177/07340168221131379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Prior scholarship links ontological insecurities, racial tensions, and health
issues to public opinion about crime. This project examined these forces in the
context of the 2020 pandemic, racial justice demonstrations, and politics using
data from the Nebraska 2020 survey (N = 2775). Pandemic-related insecurities and
racial animus were associated with avoiding places in the community, worry about
crime, and the belief that police in one's community are underfunded. Trusting
politicians but distrusting health leaders, and viewing COVID as an economic
threat but not a health threat were associated with the belief police are
underfunded. Results suggest that the politicization of the pandemic may
influence support for criminal justice policies that promise a return to “law
and order.”
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa A. Kort-Butler
- University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Lincoln, NE,
USA,Lisa A. Kort-Butler, Soicology, University
of Nebraska, 711 Oldfather Hall, PO Box 880324, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA.
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Nielson KR, Zhang Y, Ingram JR. The impact of COVID-19 on police officer activities. JOURNAL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE 2022; 82:101943. [PMID: 36247349 PMCID: PMC9549130 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2022.101943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study examined the impact of COVID-19 on police reactive and proactive activities in Houston, Texas. Seven types of police officer reactivity and three distinct categories of proactivity were examined. METHODS Weekly calls for service data from January 1, 2018-December 31, 2020 were analyzed through interrupted time series using ARIMA models. RESULTS Police responses to property, traffic-related activities, and service-related calls all decreased when compared to previous years. A significant increase was observed for violent crime calls. Self-initiated activities performed by specialized crime units significantly decreased, but there was a significant increase in self-initiated patrol. Activities performed by a specialized response unit initially increased, but then went back to pre-pandemic levels following the death of George Floyd. CONCLUSIONS Observed decreases in reactivity may be attributed to changes in citizens' routine activities. COVID-19 was associated with increased demands for police responses to violence, consistent with extant research. A unique contribution of this study was the incorporation of officer proactivity. Changes to proactive patrol could also be attributed to changes in the routine activities of citizens. This study adds to the growing body of literature examining the impact of COVID-19 on police services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyler R Nielson
- Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341-2296, United States of America
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341-2296, United States of America
| | - Jason R Ingram
- Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX 77341-2296, United States of America
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Hickert A, Shi L, Silver JR. Is compassion the flip side of punitiveness? Incorporating COVID-19 crisis in experimental vignettes to examine support for visitation and vaccination in prison. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL CRIMINOLOGY 2022:1-22. [PMID: 35791310 PMCID: PMC9245866 DOI: 10.1007/s11292-022-09523-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Objectives The public hold both punitive and pragmatic attitudes toward prison policy. Yet it is unclear whether the public supports compassionate efforts that do not directly relate to recidivism. This study explores the role of exclusionary symbolic aims (prioritizing non-prisoner groups), inclusionary symbolic aims (minimizing health risk for the vulnerable), and cost (taxes). Methods Using a quota-based national sample fielded in spring 2021 (N=1260), we embedded two experimental vignettes to assess support for vaccination priorities and personal protective equipment (PPE) for in-person visitation. We also examine respondent experiences (e.g., exposure to COVID-19, vaccine status, personal or vicarious arrest) and beliefs (e.g., political ideology, racial resentment, stigma). Results Consistent with dominant exclusionary symbolic aims, respondents showed strong preferences for non-prisoner groups in facilitating safe in-person visits (in long-term care facilities) and vaccine priorities (to prison guards). Inclusionary symbolic aims were less clear when examining risk from vaccine side effects or helping vulnerable populations (the elderly). High cost reduced support for compassionate policy. Conclusions Public support for policies aimed at maintaining the health of individuals who are incarcerated may be motivated by similar factors as punishment preferences. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11292-022-09523-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Hickert
- Criminology and Criminal Justice, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA
| | - Luzi Shi
- Criminal Justice, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, USA
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Sandrin R, Simpson R, Gaub JE. An experimental examination of the perceptual paradox surrounding police canine units. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL CRIMINOLOGY 2022; 19:1-11. [PMID: 35669275 PMCID: PMC9161185 DOI: 10.1007/s11292-022-09516-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Objectives To experimentally examine public perceptions of police canine units. Methods As part of the between-subjects paradigm, participants were randomly assigned to view and rate an image of a police officer either with a police dog (i.e., as a police canine unit) or alone on eight dimensions: aggression, approachability, fairness, friendliness, intimidation, professionalism, respectfulness, and trustworthiness. Results The analyses reveal that the officer was perceived more negatively when presented with a police dog than when presented alone. Conclusions Police dogs play a multifaceted role in policing, including in crime control and public relations. In addition to their many functions, police canine units can also elicit many perceptual effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Sandrin
- School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - Rylan Simpson
- School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6 Canada
| | - Janne E. Gaub
- Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, USA
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Sirait P, Zaluchu F. Where is the Third E in Controlling Coronavirus Disease-19 in Indonesia? A Mini Review. Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.3889/oamjms.2021.6878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to attract global attention and is the most serious health problem today. Indonesia faces a very significant spike in cases in mid-2021. This may be related to inadequate enforcement before cases reach their peak. To review what has happened and what should be done in the future, this paper presents the three Es concept to be applied more consistently in efforts to control COVID-19 in Indonesia.
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Loder RT, Young A, Atoa B. Firearm injuries associated with law enforcement activity. J Forensic Leg Med 2021; 83:102249. [PMID: 34461598 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2021.102249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Law enforcement activity can involve firearms, and either a civilian or the law enforcement officer can be injured. It was the purpose of this study to characterize the injuries and demographics associated with law enforcement firearm activity across the entire US using a national data base. METHODS Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research Firearm Injury Surveillance Study data 1993-2015 was used. Law enforcement involvement and other demographic variables were ascertained. Statistical analyses were performed accounting for the weighted, stratified nature of the data. P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS There were an estimated 2,667,896 ED visits for injuries due to firearms; 1.7% (45,497) were associated with law enforcement. Those involved with law enforcement were older (33.2 vs 29.8 years), a handgun was more commonly involved (80.3 vs 71.5%), male (90.7 vs 86.8%), White (52.9 vs 37.2%), had more upper trunk injuries (25.2 vs 16.2%), fewer lower extremity (15.1% vs 25.9%) injuries, and more fatalities (10.0 vs. 6.2%). An argument, crime, fight and drug involvement were all greater in the law enforcement group. Within the law enforcement group, when the injured patient was the civilian and not the officer, the patient was more commonly Black, male, sustained more trunk injuries, fewer extremity injuries, and more frequently admitted to the hospital. The civilian group had fewer upper extremity (11.7% vs 29.7%), lower extremity (12.2% vs 23.7%) and lower trunk injuries (14.6% vs 8.0%), more upper trunk injuries (31.3% vs 7.8%, and similar proportion of head/neck injuries (31.5% vs 30.7%) compared to the officer group. More females were injured in the officer group (16.9% vs 7.5%). The fatality rate was 12.6% for the civilian group and 3.0% for the officer group. There were no differences by race in disposition from the ED (released, admitted, death) for those who sustained injuries by the officer. CONCLUSIONS Firearm injuries due to law enforcement activity occurred in 1.7% of all ED visits for injuries due to firearms. The law enforcement officer was the injured patient in 23% of the events. This study spanning nearly a quarter of a century of data for injuries due to firearm activity resulting in ED visits is baseline data for future studies, especially in the present setting of calls for police reform within the US. This will be important when analyzing the effect of new programs in law enforcement training and/or police reform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randall T Loder
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | - Allison Young
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Bradley Atoa
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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