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Title: The Development of Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence: An Examination of Key Correlates Among a Sample of Young Adults..
Creator: Copp, Jennifer E, Giordano, Peggy C, Longmore, Monica A, Manning, Wendy D
Abstract/Description: Social learning theory remains one of the leading explanations of intimate partner violence (IPV). Research on attitudes toward IPV represents a logical extension of the social learning tradition, as it is intuitive to expect that individuals exposed to violence in the family of origin may internalize behavioral scripts for violence and adopt attitudes accepting of IPV. Yet despite this assumed link between family violence and attitudes toward IPV, few studies have empirically examined...
Show moreSocial learning theory remains one of the leading explanations of intimate partner violence (IPV). Research on attitudes toward IPV represents a logical extension of the social learning tradition, as it is intuitive to expect that individuals exposed to violence in the family of origin may internalize behavioral scripts for violence and adopt attitudes accepting of IPV. Yet despite this assumed link between family violence and attitudes toward IPV, few studies have empirically examined factors associated with the development of such attitudes. Using data from the Toledo Adolescent Relationship Study (TARS), we examine the role of family violence on the adoption of attitudes accepting of IPV among a sample of young adults (n = 928). The current investigation contributes to existing literature on attitudes toward IPV by (a) providing an empirical examination of factors associated with attitudes toward IPV in predictive models; (b) relying on a multifaceted index, describing specific conditions under which IPV may be deemed justifiable; (c) examining extra-familial factors, in addition to family violence exposure, to provide a more comprehensive account of factors associated with attitudes toward IPV; and (d) focusing particular attention on the role of gender, including whether the factors associated with attitudinal acceptance of IPV are similar for men and women. Findings indicated considerable variation in overall endorsement of attitudes regarding the use of violence across conditions, with greater endorsement among women. Consistent with social learning approaches to IPV, exposure to violence in the family of origin was associated with attitudes toward IPV. Yet findings also signaled the salience of factors beyond the family, including a range of sociodemographic, relationship, and adult status characteristics. We discuss the relevance of our findings for future theorizing and research in the area of attitudes toward IPV.
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Date Issued: 2016-05-25
Identifier: FSU_pmch_27229921, 10.1177/0886260516651311, PMC5123960, 27229921, 27229921, 0886260516651311
Format: Citation

Title: Couple-Level Economic and Career Concerns and Intimate Partner Violence in Young Adulthood.
Creator: Copp, Jennifer E, Giordano, Peggy C, Manning, Wendy D, Longmore, Monica A
Abstract/Description: Family scholars have demonstrated that economic conditions influence marital quality and relationship instability. Similarly, researchers have identified low income and poverty as important risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet limited work has examined how economic factors influence the use of violence in the romantic context, particularly during young adulthood. Using the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study ( = 928), we examine the influence of economic and career concerns...
Show moreFamily scholars have demonstrated that economic conditions influence marital quality and relationship instability. Similarly, researchers have identified low income and poverty as important risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV). Yet limited work has examined how economic factors influence the use of violence in the romantic context, particularly during young adulthood. Using the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study ( = 928), we examine the influence of economic and career concerns as specific sources of conflict on IPV among a sample of young adults. Findings suggest that these areas of disagreement within romantic relationships are associated with IPV risk, net of traditional predictors. We discuss the implications of our findings for intervention and prevention efforts.
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Date Issued: 2016-06-01
Identifier: FSU_pmch_27284209, 10.1111/jomf.12282, PMC4894749, 27284209, 27284209
Format: Citation

Title: Risk Factors for Substance Misuse and Adolescents' Symptoms of Depression.
Creator: Siennick, Sonja E, Widdowson, Alex O, Woessner, Mathew K, Feinberg, Mark E, Spoth, Richard L
Abstract/Description: Depressive symptoms during adolescence are positively associated with peer-related beliefs, perceptions, and experiences that are known risk factors for substance misuse. These same risk factors are targeted by many universal substance misuse prevention programs. This study examined whether a multicomponent universal substance misuse intervention for middle schoolers reduced the associations between depressive symptoms, these risk factors, and substance misuse. The study used data from a...
Show moreDepressive symptoms during adolescence are positively associated with peer-related beliefs, perceptions, and experiences that are known risk factors for substance misuse. These same risk factors are targeted by many universal substance misuse prevention programs. This study examined whether a multicomponent universal substance misuse intervention for middle schoolers reduced the associations between depressive symptoms, these risk factors, and substance misuse. The study used data from a place-randomized trial of the Promoting School-Community-University Partnerships to Enhance Resilience model for delivery of evidence-based substance misuse programs for middle schoolers. Three-level within-person regression models were applied to four waves of survey, and social network data from 636 adolescents followed from sixth through ninth grades. When adolescents in control school districts had more symptoms of depression, they believed more strongly that substance use had social benefits, perceived higher levels of substance misuse among their peers and friends, and had more friends who misused substances, although they were not more likely to use substances themselves. Many of the positive associations of depressive symptoms with peer-related risk factors were significantly weaker or not present among adolescents in intervention school districts. The Promoting School-Community-University Partnerships to Enhance Resilience interventions reduced the positive associations of adolescent symptoms of depression with peer-related risk factors for substance misuse.
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Date Issued: 2017-01-01
Identifier: FSU_pmch_27751712, 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.08.010, PMC5182119, 27751712, 27751712, S1054-139X(16)30254-3
Format: Citation

Title: Everything Old is New Again: The Criminology/Criminal Justice Freshman Research Seminar.
Creator: Hill, Leslie, Maier-Katkin, Daniel, Kinsley, Kirsten
Abstract/Description: This is a report of an action-research project undertaken in tandem with the development of a new freshman seminar in criminology and criminal justice. In the freshman seminar the goal is to teach the research, critical thinking and writing skills that are the underpinnings of scholarship and good citizenship. Utilizing a unique approach, this class focuses on resources available through the University library and is taught by a professor, two librarians and a graduate teaching assistant. We...
Show moreThis is a report of an action-research project undertaken in tandem with the development of a new freshman seminar in criminology and criminal justice. In the freshman seminar the goal is to teach the research, critical thinking and writing skills that are the underpinnings of scholarship and good citizenship. Utilizing a unique approach, this class focuses on resources available through the University library and is taught by a professor, two librarians and a graduate teaching assistant. We hypothesize that freshmen who experience this seminar will show improvement in critical thinking skills, and that this will contribute to greater levels of academic success. This report describes the educational innovation (seminar) in sufficient detail to make replication possible, and presents preliminary findings that indicate the seminar enhances research and writing skills, fosters ability to think critically, and has a positive influence on students’ academic careers.
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Date Issued: 2015-06-12
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1488563765, 10.1080/10511253.2015.1052002
Format: Citation

Title: Evidence on the Effectiveness of Juvenile Court Sanctions.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Cochran, Joshua C., Greenman, Sarah J., Bhati, Avinash S., Greenwald, Mark A.
Abstract/Description: Purpose The past decade has been witness to a proliferation of calls for evidence-based juvenile court sanctions—including various programs, interventions, services, and strategies or approaches—that reduce recidivism and improve mental health, drug dependency, and education outcomes. At the same time, an emerging body of work has identified “proven,” “evidence-based,” “best practice,” or, more generally, “effective” efforts to achieve these outcomes. Even so, grounds for concern exist...
Show morePurpose The past decade has been witness to a proliferation of calls for evidence-based juvenile court sanctions—including various programs, interventions, services, and strategies or approaches—that reduce recidivism and improve mental health, drug dependency, and education outcomes. At the same time, an emerging body of work has identified “proven,” “evidence-based,” “best practice,” or, more generally, “effective” efforts to achieve these outcomes. Even so, grounds for concern exist regarding the evidence-base for these and other sanctions. Methods This paper describes the heterogeneity of sanctioning within juvenile justice and argues that, despite substantial advances in research, the heterogeneity severely delimits the generalizability of evaluations to date. It also raises questions about how much is in fact known about the effectiveness of many juvenile justice sanctions. Conclusion Extant research offers grounds for optimism. Even so, explicit articulation of the limitations of this research and the need for studies that examine external validity is important for developing evidence about “what works” in juvenile justice. Implications for research and policy are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2011-11-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1461945642, 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2011.09.006
Format: Citation

Title: Examining the Direct and Interactive Effects of Changes in Racial and Ethnic Threat on Sentencing Decisions.
Creator: Wang, Xia, Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Minority threat theory has been used to explain sentencing decisions, but rarely has the theory’s logic been assessed by examining changes in threat. Building on prior theoretical and empirical research, we develop hypotheses about the direct and interactive effects of changes in racial and ethnic threat on sentencing. We test the hypotheses using data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ State Court Processing Statistics program and other sources. The results indicate that increased racial...
Show moreMinority threat theory has been used to explain sentencing decisions, but rarely has the theory’s logic been assessed by examining changes in threat. Building on prior theoretical and empirical research, we develop hypotheses about the direct and interactive effects of changes in racial and ethnic threat on sentencing. We test the hypotheses using data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ State Court Processing Statistics program and other sources. The results indicate that increased racial threat contributes to a greater probability of receiving a prison sentence when baseline levels of threat are high. Less support is found for an effect of changes in ethnic threat. We find no support for arguments that minority threat effects are greater among minority defendants, but we do find support for the argument that threat effects are greater among violent and drug offenders. We discuss the implications of the findings for theory, research, and policy.
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Date Issued: 2010-10-12
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1464291602, 10.1177/0022427810375576
Format: Citation

Title: Evaluation Issues Confronting Juvenile Justice Sentencing Reforms: A Case Study of Texas.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Many states currently are implementing “get tough” sentencing reforms in juvenile justice. Surprisingly, however, little attention has been given to evaluation issues identified by the adult justice sentencing literature as critical to assessments of efficacy. Analysis of one recent juvenile justice sentencing reform in Texas – determinate sentencing – provides an opportunity to highlight such issues and to demonstrate their relevance to assessment of other states’ juvenile justice sentencing...
Show moreMany states currently are implementing “get tough” sentencing reforms in juvenile justice. Surprisingly, however, little attention has been given to evaluation issues identified by the adult justice sentencing literature as critical to assessments of efficacy. Analysis of one recent juvenile justice sentencing reform in Texas – determinate sentencing – provides an opportunity to highlight such issues and to demonstrate their relevance to assessment of other states’ juvenile justice sentencing reforms. This article identifies the failure to attend adequately to design, implementation, use, and assessment issues, including identification of potential unintended effects, as barriers to effective evaluation of these reforms.
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Date Issued: 1998
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460060320
Format: Citation

Title: Exposure to Pre- and Perinatal Risk Factors Partially Explains Mean Differences in Self-Regulation between Races.
Creator: Barnes, J. C., Boutwell, Brian B., Miller, J. Mitchell, DeShay, Rashaan A., Beaver, Kevin M., White, Norman
Abstract/Description: Objectives To examine whether differential exposure to pre- and perinatal risk factors explained differences in levels of self-regulation between children of different races (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Other). Methods Multiple regression models based on data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (n approximate to 9,850) were used to analyze the impact of pre- and perinatal risk factors on the development of self-regulation at age 2 years. Results Racial differences...
Show moreObjectives To examine whether differential exposure to pre- and perinatal risk factors explained differences in levels of self-regulation between children of different races (White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Other). Methods Multiple regression models based on data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (n approximate to 9,850) were used to analyze the impact of pre- and perinatal risk factors on the development of self-regulation at age 2 years. Results Racial differences in levels of self-regulation were observed. Racial differences were also observed for 9 of the 12 pre-/perinatal risk factors. Multiple regression analyses revealed that a portion of the racial differences in self-regulation was explained by differential exposure to several of the pre-/perinatal risk factors. Specifically, maternal age at childbirth, gestational timing, and the family's socioeconomic status were significantly related to the child's level of self-regulation. These factors accounted for a statistically significant portion of the racial differences observed in self-regulation. Conclusions The findings indicate racial differences in self-regulation may be, at least partially, explained by racial differences in exposure to pre- and perinatal risk factors.
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Date Issued: 2016-02-16
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_wos_000371219000001, 10.1371/journal.pone.0141954
Format: Citation

Title: Gender Differences in the Effects of Prison on Recidivism.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Cochran, Joshua C., Bales, William D.
Abstract/Description: Purpose This study examines gender differences in the effectiveness of prison in reducing recidivism. Methods Using data on released male and female prisoners, we apply a propensity score matching methodology to compare the effects of prison on recidivism versus three counterfactual conditions—jail, intensive probation, and probation. Results The analyses indicated that a prison term, as compared to placement on intensive probation or traditional probation, is associated with a greater...
Show morePurpose This study examines gender differences in the effectiveness of prison in reducing recidivism. Methods Using data on released male and female prisoners, we apply a propensity score matching methodology to compare the effects of prison on recidivism versus three counterfactual conditions—jail, intensive probation, and probation. Results The analyses indicated that a prison term, as compared to placement on intensive probation or traditional probation, is associated with a greater likelihood of property and drug recidivism. There was little evidence that recidivism was greater when compared to jail, that prison increased the likelihood of violent or other recidivism, or that the criminogenic effect of prison is appreciably greater for females or males. Conclusions The findings do not support arguments that prison is an effective alternative to non-incarcerative punishments or that it exerts a differential effect on females or males. Further research is needed on what features of the prison experience contribute to the observed effects.
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Date Issued: 2012-09-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1461942724, 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2012.06.009
Format: Citation

Title: Findings from a Process Evaluation of a Statewide Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program for Youthful Offenders.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Kelly, William R., Durden, Emily D.
Abstract/Description: Despite the critical importance of process evaluations to enhancing the efficiency and long-term effectiveness of chemical dependency treatment programs, attention to process-related dimensions of treatment programming has been largely neglected. Using data collected on youthful offenders with chemical dependency treatment needs in the Texas Youth Commission (TYC), this paper provides a systematic and empirical process evaluation of factors associated with successful program progress in TYC’s...
Show moreDespite the critical importance of process evaluations to enhancing the efficiency and long-term effectiveness of chemical dependency treatment programs, attention to process-related dimensions of treatment programming has been largely neglected. Using data collected on youthful offenders with chemical dependency treatment needs in the Texas Youth Commission (TYC), this paper provides a systematic and empirical process evaluation of factors associated with successful program progress in TYC’s Chemical Dependency Treatment Program (CDTP). Analyses focus on appropriate program placement and whether and to what extent risk, dynamic/criminogenic need, behavioral, and treatment amenability factors are related to several key measures of program progress, including completion/expulsion, days to completion/expulsion, and performance, as well as to variation among these outcomes across treatment sites. Policy and research implications of these analyses and of process evaluations then are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2001-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460740223, 10.1177/0032885501081002006
Format: Citation

Title: Getting Tough with Juvenile Offenders: Explaining Support for Sanctioning Youths as Adults.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Despite recent “get tough” trends in juvenile justice, relatively little is known about support for sanctioning youths in adult courts. In response, this study examines several neglected explanatory factors, including links between marital status, political orientation, and philosophy of punishment. Analysis of data from the 1995 National Opinion Survey of Crime and Justice suggests that marital status and philosophy of punishment are consistently associated with support for adult sanctioning...
Show moreDespite recent “get tough” trends in juvenile justice, relatively little is known about support for sanctioning youths in adult courts. In response, this study examines several neglected explanatory factors, including links between marital status, political orientation, and philosophy of punishment. Analysis of data from the 1995 National Opinion Survey of Crime and Justice suggests that marital status and philosophy of punishment are consistently associated with support for adult sanctioning of youths when the offense involves any of three categories of offenses (selling illegal drugs or committing property or violent crime). It also suggests that marital status conditions the effect of philosophy of punishment, an effect itself conditioned by political orientation when the offense involves selling illegal drugs. Research and policy implications are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2001-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460735204, 10.1177/0093854801028002004
Format: Citation

Title: Explaining the Gender Gap in Delinquency: Moral Evaluations of Behavior and Peer Influence.
Creator: Mears, Daniel
Abstract/Description: Gender is one of the strongest correlates of delinquent behavior, but gender differences in delinquency have proven difficult to explain. Some analysts have called for gender-specific theories of delinquency, while others argue that males and females are differentially exposed to or differentially affected by the same criminogenic conditions. Building on the latter approach, this paper draws on Sutherland's theory of differential association and Gilligan's theory of moral development to argue...
Show moreGender is one of the strongest correlates of delinquent behavior, but gender differences in delinquency have proven difficult to explain. Some analysts have called for gender-specific theories of delinquency, while others argue that males and females are differentially exposed to or differentially affected by the same criminogenic conditions. Building on the latter approach, this paper draws on Sutherland's theory of differential association and Gilligan's theory of moral development to argue that males and females are differentially affected by exposure to delinquent peers. Analysis of data from the National Youth Survey supports the hypothesis that moral evaluations act as a barrier to reduce or counteract the influence of delinquent peers among females, thereby producing large observed sex differences in delinquent behavior.
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Date Issued: 1998
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460062028
Format: Citation

Title: Linking Process and Outcomes in Evaluating a Statewide Drug Treatment Program for Youthful Offenders.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Kelly, William R.
Abstract/Description: Considerable attention recently has been given to the principles of effective intervention and their importance for reducing recidivism. By contrast, much less attention has been given to youth performance while in treatment or to program implementation, yet both are critical factors that also can affect recidivism. Using data on youthful offenders in the Texas Youth Commission (TYC), we examine rearrest patterns for youths in TYC’s Chemical Dependency Treatment Program (CDTP). Analyses focus...
Show moreConsiderable attention recently has been given to the principles of effective intervention and their importance for reducing recidivism. By contrast, much less attention has been given to youth performance while in treatment or to program implementation, yet both are critical factors that also can affect recidivism. Using data on youthful offenders in the Texas Youth Commission (TYC), we examine rearrest patterns for youths in TYC’s Chemical Dependency Treatment Program (CDTP). Analyses focus on treatment performance and program implementation and their impact on rearrest, net of demographic, risk, and need factors. Policy and research implications of these analyses are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2002-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1461160273, 10.1177/001112870204800104
Format: Citation

Title: Housing for the ‘Worst of the Worst’ Inmates: Public Support for Supermax Prisons..
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Mancini, Christina, Beaver, Kevin M., Gertz, Marc
Abstract/Description: Despite concerns whether supermaximum security prisons violate human rights or prove effective, these facilities have proliferated in America over the past 25 years. This punishment—aimed at the “worst of the worst” inmates and involving 23-hr-per-day single-cell confinement with few privileges or services—has emerged despite little evidence that the public supports it. Based on public opinion survey data, this study identified the extent to which support exists for supermax prisons and so...
Show moreDespite concerns whether supermaximum security prisons violate human rights or prove effective, these facilities have proliferated in America over the past 25 years. This punishment—aimed at the “worst of the worst” inmates and involving 23-hr-per-day single-cell confinement with few privileges or services—has emerged despite little evidence that the public supports it. Based on public opinion survey data, this study identified the extent to which support exists for supermax prisons and so tested three interrelated hypotheses about variation in public views. The focal contention is that support can be linked to groups that are most concerned with symbolic threats, to those most embracing of a belief in individual agency, and to those who have had negative contacts with offenders. The article concludes with a discussion on implications for theory, research, and policy.
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Date Issued: 2013-05-27
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460485737, 10.1177/0011128708330851
Format: Citation

Title: It Varies from State to State: An Examination of Sex Crime Laws Nationally.
Creator: Mancini, Christina, Barnes, J. C., Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Sex crime laws seemingly have proliferated recently as part of a national “get tough” shift in criminal justice policy. However, to date, there exists no systematic account of these state-level legislative changes. Accordingly, the “tough on sex crime” characterization of states may be understated or incorrect. It may also gloss over variability in the types of laws enacted and the implications such variability has for the generalizability of assessments of these laws. Drawing on an analysis...
Show moreSex crime laws seemingly have proliferated recently as part of a national “get tough” shift in criminal justice policy. However, to date, there exists no systematic account of these state-level legislative changes. Accordingly, the “tough on sex crime” characterization of states may be understated or incorrect. It may also gloss over variability in the types of laws enacted and the implications such variability has for the generalizability of assessments of these laws. Drawing on an analysis of state laws, we identify considerable variation in the type, intensity, and design of sex crime laws among states. Results suggest that not all states have uniformly embraced these reforms, that considerable caution is warranted when generalizing from evaluations of particular laws, and that the continuing expansion of sex crime policy making will make it increasingly difficult, especially in the absence of a commensurate body of empirical research, to identify the effects of specific policies.
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Date Issued: 2013-02-08
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1461856632, 10.1177/0887403411424079
Format: Citation

Title: Incarceration Heterogeneity and its Implications for Assessing the Effectiveness of Imprisonment on Recidivism.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Cochran, Joshua C., Cullen, Francis T.
Abstract/Description: Mass incarceration has led to increased interest in understanding the effects of imprisonment. Reviews of criminological theory and research report mixed evidence that incarceration reduces recidivism; indeed, some studies report criminogenic effects. We argue that a better understanding of the heterogeneity of incarceration—including the types and sequences of sanctions and experiences that occur before, during, and after imprisonment—and of incarceration effects among different groups is...
Show moreMass incarceration has led to increased interest in understanding the effects of imprisonment. Reviews of criminological theory and research report mixed evidence that incarceration reduces recidivism; indeed, some studies report criminogenic effects. We argue that a better understanding of the heterogeneity of incarceration—including the types and sequences of sanctions and experiences that occur before, during, and after imprisonment—and of incarceration effects among different groups is important for two reasons. First, it can assist with assessing the salience of prior research on the effects of incarceration on recidivism. Second, it serves to identify conceptual and methodological challenges that must be addressed to provide credible assessments of incarceration effects. The paper argues that incarceration likely exerts a variable effect depending on the nature of the prison experience, the counterfactual conditions, including prior sanction history, and the specific populations subject to imprisonment. Implications for theory, research, and policy are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2015-08-15
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1459949920, 10.1177/0887403414528950
Format: Citation

Title: Incidence Of Diabetes Mellitus And Obesity And The Overlap Of Comorbidities In Hiv Plus Hispanics Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy.
Creator: Gomes, Angelina, Reyes, Emily V., Garduno, L. Sergio, Rojas, Rita, Mir Mesejo, Geraldine, Del Rosario, Eliza, Jose, Lina, Javier, Carmen, Vaughan, Catherine, Donastorg, Yeycy,...
Show moreGomes, Angelina, Reyes, Emily V., Garduno, L. Sergio, Rojas, Rita, Mir Mesejo, Geraldine, Del Rosario, Eliza, Jose, Lina, Javier, Carmen, Vaughan, Catherine, Donastorg, Yeycy, Hammer, Scott, Brudney, Karen, Taylor, Barbara S.
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Abstract/Description: Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading health threat for HIV+ patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART); cardiometabolic comorbidities are key predictors of risk. Data are limited on incidence of metabolic comorbidities in HIV+ individuals initiating ART in low and middle income countries (LMICs), particularly for Hispanics. We examined incidence of diabetes and obesity in a prospective cohort of those initiating ART in the Dominican Republic. Methods Participants >= 18 years,...
Show moreBackground Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading health threat for HIV+ patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART); cardiometabolic comorbidities are key predictors of risk. Data are limited on incidence of metabolic comorbidities in HIV+ individuals initiating ART in low and middle income countries (LMICs), particularly for Hispanics. We examined incidence of diabetes and obesity in a prospective cohort of those initiating ART in the Dominican Republic. Methods Participants >= 18 years, initiating ART <90 days prior to study enrollment, were examined for incidence of impaired fasting glucose (IFG), diabetes mellitus (DM), overweight, and obesity. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) 100-125mg/dl defined IFG; FPG >= 126 mg/dl, diagnosis per medical record, or use of hypoglycemic medication defined DM. Overweight and obesity were BMI 25-30 and >= 30kg/m2, respectively. Dyslipidemia was total cholesterol >= 240mg/dl or use of lipid-lowering medication. Framingham risk equation was used to determine ten-year CVD risk at the end of observation. Results Of 153 initiating ART, 8 (6%) had DM and 23 (16%) had IFG at baseline, 6 developed DM (28/1000 person-years follow up [PYFU]) and 46 developed IFG (329/1000 PYFU). At baseline, 24 (18%) were obese and 36 (27%) were overweight, 15 became obese (69/1000 PYFU) and 22 became overweight (163/1000 PYFU). Median observation periods for the diabetes and obesity analyses were 23.5 months and 24.3 months, respectively. Increased CVD risk (>= 10% 10-year Framingham risk score) was present for 13% of the cohort; 79% of the cohort had >= 1 cardiometabolic comorbidity, 48% had >= 2, and 13% had all three. Conclusions In this Hispanic cohort in an LMIC, incidences of IFG/DM and overweight/obesity were similar to or higher than that found in high income countries, and cardiometabolic disorders affected three-quarters of those initiating ART. Care models incorporating cardiovascular risk reduction into HIV treatment programs are needed to prevent CVD-associated mortality in this vulnerable population.
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Date Issued: 2016-08-10
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_wos_000381380400055, 10.1371/journal.pone.0160797
Format: Citation

Title: Here and Gone: Anticipation and Separation Effects of Prison Visits on Inmate Infractions.
Creator: Siennick, Sonja E, Mears, Daniel P., Bales, William D.
Abstract/Description: Objectives: This study examines the effect of prison visitation on the probability of inmate misconduct. Method: Our sample is an admissions cohort of over 7,000 inmates admitted to Florida correctional facilities between 2000 and 2002. The authors conducted multilevel analyses of the week-to-week association between officially recorded disciplinary infractions and prison visits, including spousal, significant other, parental, relative, and friend visits. Results: The probability of an in...
Show moreObjectives: This study examines the effect of prison visitation on the probability of inmate misconduct. Method: Our sample is an admissions cohort of over 7,000 inmates admitted to Florida correctional facilities between 2000 and 2002. The authors conducted multilevel analyses of the week-to-week association between officially recorded disciplinary infractions and prison visits, including spousal, significant other, parental, relative, and friend visits. Results: The probability of an in-prison infraction declines in anticipation of visits, increases immediately following visits, and then gradually declines to average levels. This pattern is relatively consistent across visitors and infraction types but is strongest for spousal visits and contraband infractions. More frequent visits are associated with a more rapid postvisit decline. Conclusions: If visits reduce the pains of imprisonment or increase social control, then these effects may be too short-lived to create lasting improvements in the behavior of individuals while incarcerated. Future research should attempt to replicate and explain these findings and examine the longer term effects of visitation on inmate adjustment during and after incarceration.
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Date Issued: 2013-07-04
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1461874623, 10.1177/0022427812449470
Format: Citation

Title: Improving Criminal Justice through Better Decision Making: Lessons from the Medical System.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Bacon, Sarah
Abstract/Description: Against a backdrop of unprecedented growth in the criminal justice system stand calls for increased government accountability, yet substantial gaps between ideal and actual practice remain. Many observers have pointed to the problem and some of its causes and solutions, including the need for performance monitoring and evidence-based practices. Less attention has been paid to how decision-making errors influence effective criminal justice practice. This article draws on examples from medicine...
Show moreAgainst a backdrop of unprecedented growth in the criminal justice system stand calls for increased government accountability, yet substantial gaps between ideal and actual practice remain. Many observers have pointed to the problem and some of its causes and solutions, including the need for performance monitoring and evidence-based practices. Less attention has been paid to how decision-making errors influence effective criminal justice practice. This article draws on examples from medicine, where decision making has been examined in more depth, and applies them to criminal justice. Its goals are to identify the types of decision-making errors that can undermine effective practice and policy in the criminal justice system, illustrate how systemic factors influence everyday decision making, and draw attention to the benefits of decision making-focused monitoring and assessment. The article concludes by discussing the implications for performance monitoring and improving the criminal justice system.
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Date Issued: 2009-03-13
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1464805126, 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2009.02.001
Format: Citation

Title: Interracial Contact and Fear of Crime.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Stewart, Eric A.
Abstract/Description: Despite a large literature on public views about crime, the racialization of crime, and the contact hypothesis, surprisingly little is known about how interracial friendships may influence Whites’ fear of crime. At the same time, and perhaps because no counterpart stereotype to that of “Blacks as criminals” exists, there has been little exploration of how such contact may influence Blacks’ fear of crime. To address these research gaps, this study built on prior theory and research and used...
Show moreDespite a large literature on public views about crime, the racialization of crime, and the contact hypothesis, surprisingly little is known about how interracial friendships may influence Whites’ fear of crime. At the same time, and perhaps because no counterpart stereotype to that of “Blacks as criminals” exists, there has been little exploration of how such contact may influence Blacks’ fear of crime. To address these research gaps, this study built on prior theory and research and used data from an ABC News and Washington Post poll to test competing hypotheses about the effect of interracial contact on Whites’ and Blacks’ fear of crime, respectively. The analyses revealed that close interracial friendships are associated with increased fear of crime among Whites, decreased fear of crime among lower-income Blacks, and increased fear among higher-income Blacks. The implications for theory and research are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2010-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1464279389, 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2009.11.005
Format: Citation

Title: The Immigration and Crime Nexus: Toward an Analytical Framework For Assessing and Guiding Theory, Research, and Policy.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: If media accounts are to be believed, immigration to the United States is a primary cause of increased crime rates. Review of recent anti-crime policies targeting immigrants would lead one to the same conclusion. Yet, most empirical research suggests precisely the opposite conclusion: many immigrant groups consistently demonstrate significantly lower crime rates than that of native populations. Moreover, despite early sociological research focusing on the relationship between immigration and...
Show moreIf media accounts are to be believed, immigration to the United States is a primary cause of increased crime rates. Review of recent anti-crime policies targeting immigrants would lead one to the same conclusion. Yet, most empirical research suggests precisely the opposite conclusion: many immigrant groups consistently demonstrate significantly lower crime rates than that of native populations. Moreover, despite early sociological research focusing on the relationship between immigration and crime, relatively little attention has been given to a range of critical theoretical and methodological issues bearing on this relationship. Taking these observations as a point of departure, several critical theoretical and methodological issues are outlined to develop an analytical framework for more systematically guiding and assessing research on the immigration-crime nexus. It is concluded that such a framework is needed for developing improved theories and facts, as well as more efficient and effective policies.
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Date Issued: 2001-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1461004355, 10.1525/sop.2001.44.1.1
Format: Citation

Title: Immigration and Crime: What’s the Connection?.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P.
Date Issued: 2002-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1461165323, 10.1525/fsr.2002.14.5.284
Format: Citation

Title: A Process and Outcome Evaluation of an Agricultural Crime Prevention Initiative.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Scott, Michelle L., Bhati, Avinash S.
Abstract/Description: Agricultural crime victimization—including theft of farm crops, livestock, pesticides, and equipment—and efforts to address it remain largely ignored despite the potential of such crime to adversely affect the lives and businesses of farmers and increase the costs of food to consumers. The Agricultural Crime, Technology, Information, and Operations Network (ACTION) initiative, located in California’s central valley, was recently developed to combat such crime. The authors present findings...
Show moreAgricultural crime victimization—including theft of farm crops, livestock, pesticides, and equipment—and efforts to address it remain largely ignored despite the potential of such crime to adversely affect the lives and businesses of farmers and increase the costs of food to consumers. The Agricultural Crime, Technology, Information, and Operations Network (ACTION) initiative, located in California’s central valley, was recently developed to combat such crime. The authors present findings from a process and outcome evaluation of this program. The findings are limited by the design of the study but nonetheless suggest that efforts to increase guardianship measures among farmers (e.g., marking equipment and livestock and using surveillance equipment), to “harden targets” (e.g., locking tractors and storing chemicals in locked storage sheds), and to arrest and prosecute offenders may help reduce agricultural crime victimization.
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Date Issued: 2007-03-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548358627_3ead4c8e, 10.1177/0887403406294586
Format: Citation

Title: Opportunity Theory and Agricultural Crime Victimization.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Scott, Michelle L., Bhati, Avinash S.
Abstract/Description: A growing body of research lends support to opportunity theory and its variants, but has yet to focus systematically on a number of specific offenses and contexts. Typically, the more crimes and contexts to which a theory applies, the broader its scope and range, respectively, and thus generalizability. In this paper, we focus on agricultural crime victimization—including theft of farm equipment, crops, livestock, and chemicals—an offense that opportunity theory appears well-situated to...
Show moreA growing body of research lends support to opportunity theory and its variants, but has yet to focus systematically on a number of specific offenses and contexts. Typically, the more crimes and contexts to which a theory applies, the broader its scope and range, respectively, and thus generalizability. In this paper, we focus on agricultural crime victimization—including theft of farm equipment, crops, livestock, and chemicals—an offense that opportunity theory appears well-situated to explain. Specifically, we examine whether key dimensions of the theory are empirically associated with the likelihood of victimization and also examine factors associated with farmers’ use of guardianship measures. In contrast to much previous research, we combine multiple individual-level measures of these dimensions. We conclude that the theory partially accounts for variation in agricultural crime victimization, depending on the type of crime, and that greater work is needed investigating how key dimensions of opportunity theory should be conceptualized and operationalized in rural contexts. The study’s implications for theory and practice are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2007-06-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548359529_8004a82b, 10.1526/003601107781170044
Format: Citation

Title: Towards Rational and Evidence-Based Crime Policy.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Rational crime policy constitutes a basic goal for society. If, however, evidence-based, cost-efficient crime prevention is the standard, there is little indication that current policies—including programs, laws, and court decisions—are rational. To support that assessment, this article uses an evaluation research perspective to highlight five prominent problems with extant crime policies:(1) a lack of empirical assessment of the need for them; (2) a range of design issues, including gaps...
Show moreRational crime policy constitutes a basic goal for society. If, however, evidence-based, cost-efficient crime prevention is the standard, there is little indication that current policies—including programs, laws, and court decisions—are rational. To support that assessment, this article uses an evaluation research perspective to highlight five prominent problems with extant crime policies:(1) a lack of empirical assessment of the need for them; (2) a range of design issues, including gaps between crime theory and policy, and, most notably, the pursuit of silver bullet solutions; (3) a range of implementation issues, including disjunctures between ideal and actual practice; (4) the lack of rigorous impact evaluations and the sometimes misplaced emphasis on them; and (5) a scarcity of cost-efficiency analyses for guiding investment decisions. It then discusses the implications of these problems and suggests steps that can be taken to place crime policy on a more evidence-based foundation.
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Date Issued: 2007-12-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548360065_b6d6c7ba, 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2007.09.003
Format: Citation

Title: Public Opinion and the Foundation of the Juvenile Court.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Hay, Carter, Gertz, Marc, Mancini, Christina
Abstract/Description: Over 100 years ago, juvenile courts emerged out of the belief that juveniles are different from adults—less culpable and more rehabilitatable—and can be “saved” from a life of crime and disadvantage. Today, the juvenile justice system is under attack through increasing calls to eliminate it and enactment of statutes designed to place younger offenders in the adult justice system. However, little evidence exists that policy makers have taken the full range of public views into account. At the...
Show moreOver 100 years ago, juvenile courts emerged out of the belief that juveniles are different from adults—less culpable and more rehabilitatable—and can be “saved” from a life of crime and disadvantage. Today, the juvenile justice system is under attack through increasing calls to eliminate it and enactment of statutes designed to place younger offenders in the adult justice system. However, little evidence exists that policy makers have taken the full range of public views into account. At the same time, scholarly accounts of calls to eliminate the juvenile justice system have neglected the role of public opinion. The current study addresses this situation by examining public views about 1) abolishing juvenile justice and 2) the proper upper age of original juvenile court jurisdiction. Particular attention is given to the notion that child-saving and “get tough” orientations influence public views about juvenile justice. The analyses suggest support for the lingering appeal of juvenile justice among the public and the idea that youth can be “saved,” as well as arguments about the politicization and criminalization of juvenile justice. They also highlight that the public, like states, holds variable views about the appropriate age of juvenile court jurisdiction. We dis-cuss the implications of the study and avenues for future research.
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Date Issued: 2007-03-13
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548359088_2358e164, 10.1111/j.1745-9125.2007.00077.x
Format: Citation

Title: A Multilevel Test of Minority Threat Effects on Sentencing.
Creator: Wang, Xia, Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Prior studies of criminal sanctioning have focused almost exclusively on individual-level predictors of sentencing outcomes. However, in recent years, scholars have begun to include social context in their research. Building off of this work—and heeding calls for testing the racial and ethnic minority threat perspective within a multilevel framework and for separating prison and jail sentences as distinct outcomes—this paper examines different dimensions of minority threat and explores...
Show morePrior studies of criminal sanctioning have focused almost exclusively on individual-level predictors of sentencing outcomes. However, in recent years, scholars have begun to include social context in their research. Building off of this work—and heeding calls for testing the racial and ethnic minority threat perspective within a multilevel framework and for separating prison and jail sentences as distinct outcomes—this paper examines different dimensions of minority threat and explores whether they exert differential effects on prison versus jail sentences. The findings provide support for the racial threat perspective, and less support for the ethnic threat perspective. They also underscore the importance of testing for non-linear threat effects and for separating jail and prison sentences as distinct outcomes. We discuss the findings and their implications for theory, research, and policy.
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Date Issued: 2010-06-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1464291008, 10.1007/s10940-009-9076-8
Format: Citation

Title: Assessing the Effectiveness of Juvenile Justice Reforms: A Closer Look at the Criteria and the Impacts on Diverse Stakeholders.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Research to date has taken a relatively narrow view of the criteria by which the effectiveness of juvenile justice sentencing policies are to be assessed. This narrowness is particularly striking given the comprehensive “get tough” reforms that recently have been enacted in nearly every state. Drawing on previous research and an analysis of the potential effects of a recent juvenile justice sentencing reform in Texas, this paper argues for greater attention to conceptualizing and empirically...
Show moreResearch to date has taken a relatively narrow view of the criteria by which the effectiveness of juvenile justice sentencing policies are to be assessed. This narrowness is particularly striking given the comprehensive “get tough” reforms that recently have been enacted in nearly every state. Drawing on previous research and an analysis of the potential effects of a recent juvenile justice sentencing reform in Texas, this paper argues for greater attention to conceptualizing and empirically assessing effectiveness broadly, including reference to intended and unintended effects, multiple goals and means, and diverse stakeholders. The argument is sustained first by outlining and discussing these key dimensions and then by empirically illustrating the potential importance of one of these dimensions – diverse stakeholders and their respective interests.
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Date Issued: 2000
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460731325, 10.1111/1467-9930.00090
Format: Citation

Title: Assessing the Effectiveness of Correctional Sanctions.
Creator: Cochran, Joshua C., Mears, Daniel P., Bales, William D.
Abstract/Description: Objectives: Despite the dramatic expansion of the US correctional system in recent decades, little is known about the relative effectiveness of commonly used sanctions on recidivism. The goal of this paper is to address this research gap, and systematically examine the relative impacts on recidivism of four main types of sanctions: probation, intensive probation, jail, and prison. Methods: Data on convicted felons in Florida were analyzed and propensity score matching analyses were used to...
Show moreObjectives: Despite the dramatic expansion of the US correctional system in recent decades, little is known about the relative effectiveness of commonly used sanctions on recidivism. The goal of this paper is to address this research gap, and systematically examine the relative impacts on recidivism of four main types of sanctions: probation, intensive probation, jail, and prison. Methods: Data on convicted felons in Florida were analyzed and propensity score matching analyses were used to estimate relative effects of each sanction type on 3-year reconviction rates. Results: Estimated effects suggest that less severe sanctions are more likely to reduce recidivism. Conclusions: The findings raise questions about the effectiveness of tougher sanctioning policies for reducing future criminal behavior. Implications for future research, theory, and policy are also discussed.
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Date Issued: 2014-06-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460382618, 10.1007/s10940-013-9205-2
Format: Citation

Title: Assessing the Differential Effects of Race and Ethnicity on Sentencing Outcomes under Different Sentencing Systems.
Creator: Wang, Xia, Mears, Daniel P., Spohn, Cassia, Dario, Lisa
Abstract/Description: Although many states have adopted sentencing guidelines, questions remain about whether guidelines achieve one of their primary goals—reducing disparities that arise from such extralegal factors as race and ethnicity. To date, research has not taken a cross-state approach to testing for racial or ethnic disparity in sentences imposed in guideline and nonguideline states or to examining whether less disparity exists in states with voluntary or presumptive guidelines. To address this research...
Show moreAlthough many states have adopted sentencing guidelines, questions remain about whether guidelines achieve one of their primary goals—reducing disparities that arise from such extralegal factors as race and ethnicity. To date, research has not taken a cross-state approach to testing for racial or ethnic disparity in sentences imposed in guideline and nonguideline states or to examining whether less disparity exists in states with voluntary or presumptive guidelines. To address this research gap and inform sentencing scholarship, data from the State Court Processing Statistics program are used to determine whether offenders’ race or ethnicity affects incarceration and sentence length decisions in jurisdictions with different types of sentencing systems. Implications of the findings for theory, research, and policy are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2012-12-21
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1461875071, 10.1177/0011128709352234
Format: Citation

Title: The Code of the Street and Inmate Violence: Investigating the Salience of Imported Belief Systems..
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Stewart, Eric A., Siennick, Sonja E., Simons, Ronald L.
Abstract/Description: Scholars have long argued that inmate behaviors stem in part from cultural belief systems that they “import” with them into incarcerative settings. Even so, few empirical assessments have tested this argument directly. Drawing on theoretical accounts of one such set of beliefs—the code of the street—and on importation theory, we hypothesize that individuals who adhere more strongly to the street code will be more likely, once incarcerated, to engage in violent behavior and that this effect...
Show moreScholars have long argued that inmate behaviors stem in part from cultural belief systems that they “import” with them into incarcerative settings. Even so, few empirical assessments have tested this argument directly. Drawing on theoretical accounts of one such set of beliefs—the code of the street—and on importation theory, we hypothesize that individuals who adhere more strongly to the street code will be more likely, once incarcerated, to engage in violent behavior and that this effect will be amplified by such incarceration experiences as disciplinary sanctions and gang involvement, as well as the lack of educational programming, religious programming, and family support. We test these hypotheses using unique data that include measures of the street code belief system and incarceration experiences. The results support the argument that the code of the street belief system affects inmate violence and that the effect is more pronounced among inmates who lack family support, experience disciplinary sanctions, and are gang involved. Implications of these findings are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2013-08-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460486872, 10.1111/1745-9125.12017
Format: Citation

Title: Central Analytical Issues in the Generation of Cumulative Sociological Knowledge.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Stafford, Mark Christopher
Abstract/Description: The growth of theories, methodologies, and substantive/empirical areas in sociology has not led to consensus about what sociology is or how to generate cumulative knowledge. Recourse to general or “grand” theories, conceptual frameworks, and methodological advances has not proven noticeably helpful in resolving this situation. Suggesting an alternative strategy, this paper delineates nine analytical issues central to “doing” sociology. The authors contend that systematic attention to these...
Show moreThe growth of theories, methodologies, and substantive/empirical areas in sociology has not led to consensus about what sociology is or how to generate cumulative knowledge. Recourse to general or “grand” theories, conceptual frameworks, and methodological advances has not proven noticeably helpful in resolving this situation. Suggesting an alternative strategy, this paper delineates nine analytical issues central to “doing” sociology. The authors contend that systematic attention to these issues will increase the generation of cumulative sociological knowledge
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Date Issued: 2002-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1461161591, 10.1080/00380237.2002.10571217
Format: Citation

Title: Offending and Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Criminal Justice: A Conceptual Framework for Guiding Theory and Research and Informing Policy.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Cochran, Joshua C., Lindsey, Andrea M.
Abstract/Description: Scholars and policy makers have expressed concern that observed minority differences in processing (e.g., arrest, detention, conviction) and sentencing stem not from the legal merits of cases but rather from intentional or unintentional discrimination. An additional concern is that there may be disparities in society that lead to offending differences among racial and ethnic groups, and that these differences may be amplified by disparities that minorities experience in and through the...
Show moreScholars and policy makers have expressed concern that observed minority differences in processing (e.g., arrest, detention, conviction) and sentencing stem not from the legal merits of cases but rather from intentional or unintentional discrimination. An additional concern is that there may be disparities in society that lead to offending differences among racial and ethnic groups, and that these differences may be amplified by disparities that minorities experience in and through the criminal justice system. In this article, we identify the dimensions along which information is needed to document minority disparities in criminal justice processing and sanctioning and to guide interventions to reduce them. We conclude that research to date has not systematically documented the true prevalence of minority disparities in criminal justice processing or sanctioning or the causes of them. We then argue that social structural disparities faced by minorities warrant comparable attention to that given to criminal justice disparities. Documentation of these disparities and their causes will be necessary to shed light on the exercise of formal social control. It also can contribute to efforts to understand offending and how most effectively to reduce crime and unfair sanctioning.
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Date Issued: 2016-02-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1459442017, 10.1177/1043986215607252
Format: Citation

Title: Response Errors In Surveys Of Defensive Gun Use: A National Internet Survey Experiment.
Creator: Kleck, Gary
Abstract/Description: A national Internet survey of a probability sample of 5,550 U.S. adults was used to study possible sources of error in surveys of defensive gun use (DGU). Respondents (Rs) were randomly exposed to variant question wordings, question sequences, and combinations of questions. Rs were 70% more likely to report a victimization when they were instructed to report incidents involving offenders known to them, and 43% more likely to report a victimization if they were instructed to include incidents...
Show moreA national Internet survey of a probability sample of 5,550 U.S. adults was used to study possible sources of error in surveys of defensive gun use (DGU). Respondents (Rs) were randomly exposed to variant question wordings, question sequences, and combinations of questions. Rs were 70% more likely to report a victimization when they were instructed to report incidents involving offenders known to them, and 43% more likely to report a victimization if they were instructed to include incidents that resulted in no injury or property loss. Rs were 125% more likely to report DGUs if they were directly asked about DGU than if they were first asked about victimization experiences, then asked about DGU in connection with those experiences.
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Date Issued: 2018-08-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_wos_000438563300001, 10.1177/0011128718763138
Format: Citation

Title: Lynchings, Racial Threat, and Whites’ Punitive Views towards Blacks.
Creator: Stewart, Eric A., Mears, Daniel P., Warren, Patricia Y., Baumer, Eric P., Arnio, Ashley N.
Abstract/Description: Disparities in historical and contemporary punishment of Blacks have been well documented. Racial threat has been proffered as a theoretical explanation for this phenomenon. In an effort to understand the factors that inﬂuence punishment and racial divides in America, we draw on racial threat theory and prior scholarship to test three hypotheses. First, Black punitive sentiment among Whites will be greater among those who reside in areas where lynching was more common. Second, heightened...
Show moreDisparities in historical and contemporary punishment of Blacks have been well documented. Racial threat has been proffered as a theoretical explanation for this phenomenon. In an effort to understand the factors that inﬂuence punishment and racial divides in America, we draw on racial threat theory and prior scholarship to test three hypotheses. First, Black punitive sentiment among Whites will be greater among those who reside in areas where lynching was more common. Second, heightened Black punitive sentiment among Whites in areas with more pronounced legacies of lynch-ing will be partially mediated by Whites’ perceptions of Blacks’ criminality and of Black-on-White violence in these areas. Third, the impact of lynching on Black punitive sentiment will be ampliﬁed by Whites’ perceptions of Blacks as criminals and as threatening more generally. We ﬁnd partial support for these hypotheses. The results indicate that lynchings are associated with punitive sentiment toward Black offenders, and these relationships are partially mediated by perceptions of Blacks as criminals and as threats to Whites. In addition, the effects of lynchings on Black punitiveness are ampliﬁed among White respondents who view Blacks as a threat to Whites. These results highlight the salience of historical context for understanding contemporary views about punishment.
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Date Issued: 2018-03-25
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548792411_6cf254af, 10.1111/1745-9125.12176
Format: Citation

Title: Faith-based efforts to improve prisoner reentry: Assessing the logic and evidence.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Roman, Caterina G., Wolff, Ashley, Buck, Janeen
Abstract/Description: Prisoner reentry constitutes one of the central criminal justice challenges confronting U.S. society. Coinciding with this emerging social problem has been increased policymaker interest in faith-based programs to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations, including released prisoners. Critical questions about the nature and effects of faith-based reentry programs remain largely unaddressed, however: (1) What is a “faith-based” program? (2) How does or could such a program reduce recidivism...
Show morePrisoner reentry constitutes one of the central criminal justice challenges confronting U.S. society. Coinciding with this emerging social problem has been increased policymaker interest in faith-based programs to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations, including released prisoners. Critical questions about the nature and effects of faith-based reentry programs remain largely unaddressed, however: (1) What is a “faith-based” program? (2) How does or could such a program reduce recidivism and improve other behavioral outcomes among released offenders? (3) What is the evidence concerning the impacts of faith-based reentry programs? (4) What are critical implementation issues that may affect the operations and impacts of such programs? This article examines each of these questions and identifies critical conceptual, theoretical, and research gaps in the literature. It highlights that the term “faith-based” is used inconsistently, that the precise causal relationship, if any, between various measures of faith and crime remains in question, and that few rigorous evaluations of faith-based reentry programs exist. It then discusses recommendations for improving knowledge and practice.
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Date Issued: 2006-07-10
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548357875_50ae2157, 10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2006.05.002
Format: Citation

Title: Wardens’ Views on the Wisdom of Supermax Prisons.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Castro, Jennifer L.
Abstract/Description: Super-maximum security prisons have proliferated nationally, reflecting a belief among policy makers and corrections officials that such high-cost housing is effective. Yet little is known about the precise goals of “supermax” prisons, whether these goals are achieved, what unintended effects supermaxes may have, and, more generally, whether they represent a wise investment. State correctional data systems do not readily allow for assessment of these issues. The authors of this study...
Show moreSuper-maximum security prisons have proliferated nationally, reflecting a belief among policy makers and corrections officials that such high-cost housing is effective. Yet little is known about the precise goals of “supermax” prisons, whether these goals are achieved, what unintended effects supermaxes may have, and, more generally, whether they represent a wise investment. State correctional data systems do not readily allow for assessment of these issues. The authors of this study therefore administered surveys to state prison wardens—a population uniquely situated to provide insight about supermaxes—to address existing gaps in knowledge and to inform research and policy debates. The authors discuss the study’s findings and implications.
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Date Issued: 2006-07-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548355738_3508bd7c, 10.1177/0011128705279484
Format: Citation

Title: The theory and practice of supermax prisons.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Reisig, Michael D.
Abstract/Description: Over the last two decades, super-maximum custody (or ‘supermax’) prisons have become increasingly common throughout the American correctional landscape. Although these institutions can be justiﬁed using a variety of arguments (e.g. retribution), one of the most commonly used rationalizations is that they promote higher levels of prison order throughout the systems in which they are used. Because of the lack of direct empirical evidence to support this claim, we refer to this argument as the ...
Show moreOver the last two decades, super-maximum custody (or ‘supermax’) prisons have become increasingly common throughout the American correctional landscape. Although these institutions can be justiﬁed using a variety of arguments (e.g. retribution), one of the most commonly used rationalizations is that they promote higher levels of prison order throughout the systems in which they are used. Because of the lack of direct empirical evidence to support this claim, we refer to this argument as the ‘system-wide order’ conjecture. In this essay, we explore the different pathways through which supermax prisons may achieve system-wide order. Our analysis suggests that the conceptual foundation upon which the system-wide order conjecture rests is unstable, and that empirical research is needed to resolve debates about the merits of supermax prisons in contributing to order in prison systems. We conclude by identifying critical research gaps that must be addressed to better understand the effects of this high-cost correctional approach.
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Date Issued: 2006-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548356716_a8222e22, 10.1177/1462474506059139
Format: Citation

Title: Exploring State-Level Variation in Juvenile Incarceration Rates: Symbolic Threats and Competing Explanations.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Despite large-scale increases in juvenile incarceration rates nationally, rela-tively little attention has been given to explaining why some states invest more heavily than others in the long-term confinement of young offenders. This article explores four potential explanations. First, investment in juvenile incarceration may be greater where symbolic threats to social order are higher. Second, it may be greater in states where crime, especially juvenile violent crime, is more prevalent....
Show moreDespite large-scale increases in juvenile incarceration rates nationally, rela-tively little attention has been given to explaining why some states invest more heavily than others in the long-term confinement of young offenders. This article explores four potential explanations. First, investment in juvenile incarceration may be greater where symbolic threats to social order are higher. Second, it may be greater in states where crime, especially juvenile violent crime, is more prevalent. Third, juvenile incarceration practices may simply reflect those deemed suitable for adult offenders; thus, states with higher adult incarceration rates may incarcerate more juveniles. Finally, cul-tural acceptance of punitive policies, as in the South, may contribute to higher rates of juvenile incarceration. Using state-level data, the article focuses primarily on the first explanation and the extent to which the alter-natives can account for any observed symbolic threat effect. The study’s implications for policy and research are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2006-12-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548358215_36653cb5, 10.1177/0032885506294237
Format: Citation

Title: Trends in Understanding and Addressing Domestic Violence.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Visher, Christy A.
Abstract/Description: This article is a response to three questions posed by the editor about past and future research on interpersonal violence by focusing in this essay on domestic violence: (a) What is the most important thing we have learned about this social problem in the last 20 years, (b) what is the most important thing we need to learn about it in the next 10 years, and (c) what is the most promising methodological innovation in the last 20 years for the study or treatment of domestic violence? This...
Show moreThis article is a response to three questions posed by the editor about past and future research on interpersonal violence by focusing in this essay on domestic violence: (a) What is the most important thing we have learned about this social problem in the last 20 years, (b) what is the most important thing we need to learn about it in the next 10 years, and (c) what is the most promising methodological innovation in the last 20 years for the study or treatment of domestic violence? This assessment suggests that the field has witnessed considerable advances in domestic violence research and pol-icy but that many as yet untapped opportunities exist to improve both knowledge and practice.
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Date Issued: 2005-02-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548354583_094b116f, 10.1177/0886260504267739
Format: Citation

Title: Youth Development and Reentry.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Travis, Jeremy
Date Issued: 2004-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548280672_48ff5bf0, 10.1177/1541204003260044
Format: Citation

Title: Immigration and Crime: What’s the Connection?.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Throughout the past century, American citizens and policymakers have expressed concern about immigration and crime, and especially the nexus of the two. The concerns appear to be driven by sudden increases in immigration and crime or by political or economic events. Whatever the proximate cause, immigration and crime are viewed as inextricably linked. We should anticipate, therefore, a firmly developed set of supporting facts. Immigrants presumably are more likely to commit crimes than non...
Show moreThroughout the past century, American citizens and policymakers have expressed concern about immigration and crime, and especially the nexus of the two. The concerns appear to be driven by sudden increases in immigration and crime or by political or economic events. Whatever the proximate cause, immigration and crime are viewed as inextricably linked. We should anticipate, therefore, a firmly developed set of supporting facts. Immigrants presumably are more likely to commit crimes than non-immigrants, cities with greater proportions of immigrants must have higher crime rates, and nationally, when immigration increases, crime increases as well. Presumably, too, research refutes the notion that immigrants commit less crime than non-immigrants or that immigrant crime is attributable to the social conditions immigrants face in U.S. society. Such firmly established research would suggest relatively obvious policy implications for controlling crime in the U.S. For example, policymakers might want to restrict immigration, legal or illegal, or increase law enforcement efforts aimed at incarcerating immigrant offenders. There is, however, one problem: Research to date has been plagued by considerable methodological problems, including reliance on the least useful and least accurate sources of data. Ironically, this research suggests that immigrants are less, not more, criminal than non-immigrants, and that immigration rates are largely unassociated with crime rates. This article reviews these and other issues. Specifically, it discusses research on the immigration-crime nexus and then identifies key issues relevant to understanding both the limitations of existing data and studies and the directions future research should explore. The article concludes by outlining several policy implications.
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Date Issued: 2002-04-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548280311_e27cb62c, 10.1525/fsr.2002.14.5.284
Format: Citation

Title: Juvenile Referrals in Texas: An Assessment of Criminogenic Needs and the Gap Between Needs and Services.
Creator: Kelly, William R., Macy, Tammy, Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Researchers emphasize the importance of risk and criminogenic needs in developing intervention strategies for juvenile offenders. Yet, few jurisdictions collect information about the risk/needs profile of known youthful offenders or whether their needs are being addressed. This study estimated the prevalence of mental health, substance abuse, educational, and family-related needs for youths referred to seven juvenile probation departments in Texas, which represent 21% of referrals statewide....
Show moreResearchers emphasize the importance of risk and criminogenic needs in developing intervention strategies for juvenile offenders. Yet, few jurisdictions collect information about the risk/needs profile of known youthful offenders or whether their needs are being addressed. This study estimated the prevalence of mental health, substance abuse, educational, and family-related needs for youths referred to seven juvenile probation departments in Texas, which represent 21% of referrals statewide. Analyses indicate that the most prevalent needs are problems associated with parental supervision, school behavior, school attendance, parental/family problems, disposition/self-image, and substance abuse. Additional analyses suggest that substantial gaps exist between the number of juveniles needing and receiving programs and services. It is concluded that such information is absolutely essential if policy makers are to formulate appropriate and adequate intervention strategies for court-involved youth.
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Date Issued: 2005-12-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548354089_92b55dab, 10.1177/0032885505281530
Format: Citation

Title: Towards a Fair and Balanced Assessment of Supermax Prisons.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Watson, Jamie
Abstract/Description: Supermaximum (“supermax”) security prisons have become a common feature of the corrections landscape. Despite their substantial costs, questions about their constitutionality, growing fiscal and managerial challenges confronting correctional systems, and increased demand for evidence-based practices, little systematic empirical research about their effectiveness exists. Against this backdrop and a debate often framed in ideological terms, we identify five dimensions that we argue should be...
Show moreSupermaximum (“supermax”) security prisons have become a common feature of the corrections landscape. Despite their substantial costs, questions about their constitutionality, growing fiscal and managerial challenges confronting correctional systems, and increased demand for evidence-based practices, little systematic empirical research about their effectiveness exists. Against this backdrop and a debate often framed in ideological terms, we identify five dimensions that we argue should be taken into account to provide a fair and balanced assessment of supermax prisons. Our study draws on a comprehen-sive analysis of existing research, site visits to three states, and interviews with 60 corrections policymakers, officials, and practitioners. We conclude with recommendations for research and policy.
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Date Issued: 2006-06-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548357130_8946ca43, 10.1080/07418820600688867
Format: Citation

Title: No Community Is an Island: The Effects of Resource Deprivation on Urban Violence in Spatially and Socially Proximate Communities.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Bhati, Avinash S.
Abstract/Description: The link between resource deprivation and urban violence has long been explored in criminological research. Studies, however, have largely ignored the potential for resource deprivation in particular communities to affect rates of violence in others. The relative inattention is notable because of the strong theoretical grounds to anticipate influences that extend both to geographically contiguous areas and to those that, though not contiguous, share similar social characteristics. We argue...
Show moreThe link between resource deprivation and urban violence has long been explored in criminological research. Studies, however, have largely ignored the potential for resource deprivation in particular communities to affect rates of violence in others. The relative inattention is notable because of the strong theoretical grounds to anticipate influences that extend both to geographically contiguous areas and to those that, though not contiguous, share similar social characteristics. We argue that such influences—what we term spatial and social proximity effects, respectively—constitute a central feature of community dynamics. To support this argument, we develop and test theoretically derived hypotheses about spatial and social proximity effects of resource deprivation on aggregated and disaggregated homicide counts. Our analyses indicate that local area resource deprivation contributes to violence in socially proximate communities, an effect that, in the case of instrumental homicides, is stronger when such communities are spatially proximate. We conclude by discussing the implications of our findings for theories focused on community-level social processes and violence, and for policies aimed at reducing crime in disadvantaged areas.
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Date Issued: 2006-09-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548355362_bf6cc086, 10.1111/j.1745-9125.2006.00056.x
Format: Citation

Title: Examining Prison Effects on Recidivism: A Regression Discontinuity Approach.
Creator: Mitchell, Ojmarrh, Cochran, Joshua C., Mears, Daniel P., Bales, William D.
Abstract/Description: The “get-tough” era of punishment led to exponential growth in the rate of incarceration in the United States. Recent reviews of the literature indicate, however, that limited rigorous research exists examining the effect of imprisonment on the likelihood of future offending. As a result, scholars have called for assessment of this relationship, while using methodologies that can better account for selection effects. This study addresses these calls directly by applying regression...
Show moreThe “get-tough” era of punishment led to exponential growth in the rate of incarceration in the United States. Recent reviews of the literature indicate, however, that limited rigorous research exists examining the effect of imprisonment on the likelihood of future offending. As a result, scholars have called for assessment of this relationship, while using methodologies that can better account for selection effects. This study addresses these calls directly by applying regression discontinuity, a methodology well suited to account for selection bias, on a cohort of felony offenders in Florida. Results suggest that prison, as compared to non-incarcerative sanctions, has no appreciable impact on recidivism. Although no differential effects surfaced across race/ethnicity, the analyses indicated that imprisonment exerts a differential effect by gender with the effect being more criminogenic among males than females.
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Date Issued: 2016-08-18
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548790326_ee40e34e, 10.1080/07418825.2016.1219762
Format: Citation

Title: Social Exclusion and Parental Incarceration Impacts on Adolescents’ Networks and School Engagement.
Creator: Cochran, Joshua C., Siennick, Sonja E., Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Although prior research links parental incarceration to deleterious outcomes for children during the life course, few studies have examined whether such incarceration affects the social exclusion of children during adolescence. Draw-ing on several lines of scholarship, the authors examined whether adolescents with incarcerated parents have fewer or lower quality relationships, participate in more antisocial peer networks, and feel less integrated or engaged in school. The study applies...
Show moreAlthough prior research links parental incarceration to deleterious outcomes for children during the life course, few studies have examined whether such incarceration affects the social exclusion of children during adolescence. Draw-ing on several lines of scholarship, the authors examined whether adolescents with incarcerated parents have fewer or lower quality relationships, participate in more antisocial peer networks, and feel less integrated or engaged in school. The study applies propensity score matching to survey and network data from a national sample of youth. Analyses indicated that children with incarcerated parents have more antisocial peers; the authors found limited evidence that parental incarceration adversely impacts peer networks and school integration domains. The results suggest that the impacts of parental incarceration on adolescents’ social lives have less to do with isolation than with the types of peers adolescents befriend. Findings provide support for the idea that parental incarceration may adversely affect children’s social exclusion.
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Date Issued: 2018-04-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548790712_39d71275, 10.1111/jomf.12464
Format: Citation

Title: Does a Rising Tide Lift All Boats?: Labor Market Changes and Their Effects on the Recidivism of Released Prisoners..
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Wang, Xia, Bales, William D.
Abstract/Description: The dramatic growth in incarceration nationally has increased attention to the factors that influence recidivism among ex-prisoners. Accordingly, scholars have called for research that identifies factors, such as employment opportunities, that may influence reentry experiences. Few studies, however, have examined how changes in labor market conditions affect ex-prisoner offending. Drawing on prior scholarship, this study examines the effect of such changes on the recidivism of ex-prisoners...
Show moreThe dramatic growth in incarceration nationally has increased attention to the factors that influence recidivism among ex-prisoners. Accordingly, scholars have called for research that identifies factors, such as employment opportunities, that may influence reentry experiences. Few studies, however, have examined how changes in labor market conditions affect ex-prisoner offending. Drawing on prior scholarship, this study examines the effect of such changes on the recidivism of ex-prisoners and, in particular, how the recidivism among blacks and whites may be differentially affected by changes in labor market conditions in the areas to which they return. The analyses indicate that, among black male ex-prisoners, labor market declines increase violent recidivism. They also indicate that, among white male ex-prisoners, the effects are more tenuous, influence only property recidivism, and are moderated by prior labor market conditions and criminal history. Implications of the study are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2012-05-16
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460381180, 10.1080/07418825.2012.677466
Format: Citation

Title: Does Inmate Behavior Affect Post-Release Offending?: Investigating the Misconduct-Recidivism Relationship among Youth and Adults..
Creator: Cochran, Joshua C., Mears, Daniel P., Bales, William D., Stewart, Eric. A.
Abstract/Description: Recent scholarship has highlighted the potential implications of in-prison experiences for prisoner reentry and, in particular, recidivism. Few penological or reentry studies, however, have examined the relationship between one experience that may be especially consequential, inmate misconduct, and recidivism. The goal of this study is to address this gap in the literature by employing a matching design that estimates the effect of inmate misconduct on reoffending, using data on a release...
Show moreRecent scholarship has highlighted the potential implications of in-prison experiences for prisoner reentry and, in particular, recidivism. Few penological or reentry studies, however, have examined the relationship between one experience that may be especially consequential, inmate misconduct, and recidivism. The goal of this study is to address this gap in the literature by employing a matching design that estimates the effect of inmate misconduct on reoffending, using data on a release cohort of Florida prisoners. The results indicate that inmates who engage in misconduct, violent misconduct in particular, are more likely to recidivate. Consistent with prior scholarship, we find that this relationship holds only for adult inmates. These findings underscore the importance of prison experiences for understanding recidivism, examining youthful and adult inmate populations separately, and devising policies that reduce misconduct.
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Date Issued: 2014-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460383468, 10.1080/07418825.2012.736526
Format: Citation

Title: Determinants of Chicago Neighborhood Homicide Trajectories: 1965-1995.
Creator: Stults, Brian
Abstract/Description: The homicide rate in Chicago nearly tripled between 1965 and 1992, and subsequently declined by more than 50% through 2005. But is this trend representative of all areas in the city? Drawing on the social disorganization and concentrated disadvantage perspectives, this paper uses semi-parametric group-based trajectory modeling to examine homicide trajectories in Chicago neighborhoods from 1965-1995. Significant variability is found in homicide trajectories across neighborhoods. Multivariate...
Show moreThe homicide rate in Chicago nearly tripled between 1965 and 1992, and subsequently declined by more than 50% through 2005. But is this trend representative of all areas in the city? Drawing on the social disorganization and concentrated disadvantage perspectives, this paper uses semi-parametric group-based trajectory modeling to examine homicide trajectories in Chicago neighborhoods from 1965-1995. Significant variability is found in homicide trajectories across neighborhoods. Multivariate results show that disadvantage increases the likelihood of having an increasing or persistently high homicide trajectory. Social disorganization and family disruption are also predictive of variation in homicide trajectories, but only in communities with already low levels of homicide. Other theoretically relevant predictors are evaluated, and suggestions for theoretical refinement and future research are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: FSU_migr_crim_faculty_publications-0001, 10.1177/1088767910371173
Format: Citation

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