The number of females in prison, jail, and probation populations has grown at a considerably faster rate than males. Despite this growth, the correctional system is failing to address the rehabilitation needs of women during and after incarceration. AMU professor Michael Pittaro talks to one former inmate about her experience in the prison system and the support she’s received now that she’s on parole.
Implementing an automation system within a correctional agency can be a challenging and complex process. AMU’s Dr. Ron Wallace has extensive experience helping correctional facilities automate their processes and recommends administrators start with a business process reengineering (BPR) assessment. Learn more about BPR and what additional steps agencies should take before adopting or implementing new technology.
By Dr. Kelli Frakes
Intelligence-led policing (ILP) has been embraced by law enforcement as an effective tool, but intelligence-led practices remain limited in corrections, despite the fact that there is a wealth of information in correctional facilities. Dr. Kelli Frakes discusses why agencies need to identify the best methods to share information among agencies.
The recent U. S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in all 50 states will affect many areas of society, including all segments of the criminal justice system. While the full impact of this ruling will take some time to sort out, there are several immediate issues facing criminal justice agencies. AMU professor Ron Wallace discusses some of the issues that criminal justice agencies must address in light of this new court ruling.
On June 6, convicted murderers Richard Matt and David Sweat escaped from a maximum security prison in New York and remain at large, despite a massive nationwide manhunt involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
The primary suspect in assisting the prisoners’ elaborate escape plan is Joyce “Tillie” Mitchell, who worked in the prison as a tailor shop instructor. AMU’S Michael Pittaro discusses the ways inmates seek to manipulate corrections staff and the training needed to educate corrections officers so they do not fall prey to inmate manipulation tactics.
On May 21, the Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) Act was introduced to Congress that would allow state and federal prisoners to receive Pell Grants for a college education, even while incarcerated. There were many reasons why Congress banned Pell Grants to prisoners back in 1994, so why would Congress consider overturning its original decision? AMU professor Michael Pittaro writes about why he opposes this legislation and how there’s not enough research to demonstrate that higher education specifically reduces recidivism. If the Pell Grant program is to be extended, it should focus on providing more money to hard-working, law-abiding students.
In April, criminal justice faculty members at American Military University have been writing articles in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Sexual violence against those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) is often overlooked due to a combination of stigma and myths. Read more from AMU professor Michelle Beshears about why it is important that the topic of sexual abuse prevention and support continues to reach those in the LGBT community.
Conducting a sexual assault investigation can be very complex, especially when military members are involved. While military and civilian law enforcement investigative procedures are similar, there are some very important differences in protocol and procedure. Learn more about the differences in interrogations and questioning and how to work best with military criminal investigation organizations (MCIOs) to ensure the successful prosecution of military offenders in both the military and civilian realms.
One might assume the greatest sources of stress for corrections officers are the threat of physical violence and hardships from working in an understaffed environment, right? As it turns out, those things are not causing officers the most stress. Instead, it is issues with prison administration and inconsistent leadership practices. AMU professor Michael Pittaro writes how prison administrators need to move away from punitive and authoritative styles of leadership and adopt a transformational leadership approach. Read how this style of leadership could help boost morale, improve job satisfaction, and even improve workplace safety.