Search results

Title: The ‘True’ Juvenile Offender: Age Effects and Juvenile Court Sanctioning.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Cochran, Joshua C., Stults, Brian J., Greenman, Sarah J., Bhati, Avinash S., Greenwald, Mark A.
Abstract/Description: Age is the only factor used to demarcate the boundary between juvenile and adult justice. However, little research has examined how age guides the juvenile court in determining which youth within the juvenile justice system merit particular dispositions, especially those that reflect the court's emphasis on rehabilitation. Drawing on scholarship on the court's origins, attribution theory, and cognitive heuristics, we hypothesize that the court focuses on youth in the middle of the range of...
Show moreAge is the only factor used to demarcate the boundary between juvenile and adult justice. However, little research has examined how age guides the juvenile court in determining which youth within the juvenile justice system merit particular dispositions, especially those that reflect the court's emphasis on rehabilitation. Drawing on scholarship on the court's origins, attribution theory, and cognitive heuristics, we hypothesize that the court focuses on youth in the middle of the range of the court's age of jurisdiction—characterized in this article as “true” juveniles—who may be viewed as meriting more specialized intervention. We use data from Florida for court referrals in 2008 (N = 71,388) to examine the decision to proceed formally or informally and, in turn, to examine formally processed youth dispositions (dismissal, diversion, probation, commitment, and transfer) and informally processed youth dispositions (dismissal, diversion, and probation). The analyses provide partial support for the hypothesis. The very young were more likely to be informally processed; however, among the informally processed youth, the youngest, not “true” juveniles, were most likely to be diverted or placed on probation. By contrast, among formally processed youth, “true” juveniles were most likely to receive traditional juvenile court responses, such as diversion or probation.
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Date Issued: 2014-05-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460380390, 10.1111/1745-9125.12034
Format: Citation

Title: Accountability, Efficiency, and Effectiveness in Corrections: Shining a Light on the Black Box of Prison Systems.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P.
Date Issued: 2008-02-19
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548443439_cf2a5672, 10.1111/j.1745-9133.2008.00497.x
Format: Citation

Title: Aggregate-level lead exposure, gun violence, homicide, and rape.
Creator: Boutwell, Brian B, Nelson, Erik J, Qian, Zhengmin, Vaughn, Michael G, Wright, John P, Beaver, Kevin M, Barnes, J C, Petkovsek, Melissa, Lewis, Roger, Schootman, Mario, Rosenfeld...
Show moreBoutwell, Brian B, Nelson, Erik J, Qian, Zhengmin, Vaughn, Michael G, Wright, John P, Beaver, Kevin M, Barnes, J C, Petkovsek, Melissa, Lewis, Roger, Schootman, Mario, Rosenfeld, Richard
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Abstract/Description: An increasing body of research has linked the geographic distribution of lead with various indicators of criminal and antisocial behavior. The current study, using data from an ongoing project related to lead exposure in St. Louis City, MO, analyzed the association between aggregate blood lead levels and specific indicators violent crime within the city. Ecological study. St. Louis, Missouri. Blood lead levels. Official reports of violent crimes were categorized as 1) crimes involving a...
Show moreAn increasing body of research has linked the geographic distribution of lead with various indicators of criminal and antisocial behavior. The current study, using data from an ongoing project related to lead exposure in St. Louis City, MO, analyzed the association between aggregate blood lead levels and specific indicators violent crime within the city. Ecological study. St. Louis, Missouri. Blood lead levels. Official reports of violent crimes were categorized as 1) crimes involving a firearm (yes/no), 2) assault crimes (with or without a firearm), 3) robbery crimes (with or without a firearm), 4) homicides and 5) rape. With the exception of rape, aggregate blood-lead levels were statistically significant predictors of violent crime at the census tract level. The risk ratios for each of the outcome measures were as follows: firearm crimes 1.03 (1.03-1.04), assault crimes 1.03 (1.02-1.03), robbery crimes 1.03 (1.02-1.04), homicide 1.03 (1.01, 1.04), and rape 1.01 (0.99-1.03). Extending prior research in St. Louis, results suggest that aggregated lead exposure at the census tract level predicted crime outcomes, even after accounting for important sociological variables. Moving forward, a more developed understanding of aggregate level crime may necessitate a shift toward studying the synergy between sociological and biological risk factors such as lead exposure.
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Date Issued: 2017-11-27
Identifier: FSU_pmch_29176826, 10.1371/journal.pone.0187953, PMC5703470, 29176826, 29176826, PONE-D-16-40412
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: 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 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: An Assessment of Supermax Prisons Using an Evaluation Research Framework.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: In recent years, states have invested heavily in supermaximum (supermax) security prisons, yet critical questions about them remain unaddressed. In this article, the author examines these prisons through an evaluation research framework, focusing on five questions: (a) Are supermaxes needed? (b) Do they rest on sound theory? (c) Are they typically implemented as intended? (d) Do they achieve their intended goals (i.e., impacts)? (e) Are they cost-efficient?This article argues that...
Show moreIn recent years, states have invested heavily in supermaximum (supermax) security prisons, yet critical questions about them remain unaddressed. In this article, the author examines these prisons through an evaluation research framework, focusing on five questions: (a) Are supermaxes needed? (b) Do they rest on sound theory? (c) Are they typically implemented as intended? (d) Do they achieve their intended goals (i.e., impacts)? (e) Are they cost-efficient?This article argues that investigation of each question reveals substantial research gaps that raise significant questions about whether supermaxes are warranted, effective, or efficient. It then discusses a range of research and policy implications.
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Date Issued: 2008-03-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548444715_cc719f10, 10.1177/0032885507310964
Format: Citation

Title: Assessments and Intake Processes in Juvenile Justice Processing: Emerging Policy Considerations.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Kelly, William R.
Date Issued: 1999-10
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460062498
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: 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: Columbine Revisited: Myths and Realities about the Bullying-School Shootings Connection.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Moon, Melissa, Thielo, Angela J.
Abstract/Description: After the Columbine school shooting in 1999, concern about bullying crescendoed. A prominent belief emerged that bullying causes school shootings. However, many of the beliefs about bullying constitute myths—that is, empirically unverified assumptions. These beliefs ignore critical conceptual issues that attend to efforts to understand the bullying-school shootings connection. In so doing, they likely inhibit progress toward a more accurate understanding of the causes of school shootings and...
Show moreAfter the Columbine school shooting in 1999, concern about bullying crescendoed. A prominent belief emerged that bullying causes school shootings. However, many of the beliefs about bullying constitute myths—that is, empirically unverified assumptions. These beliefs ignore critical conceptual issues that attend to efforts to understand the bullying-school shootings connection. In so doing, they likely inhibit progress toward a more accurate understanding of the causes of school shootings and what can be done to prevent them. In this paper, we present this argument and identify recommendations for research and policy.
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Date Issued: 2017-10-24
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548787798_bfd96e5b, 10.1080/15564886.2017.1307295
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: A Critique of Waiver Research: Critical Next Steps in Assessing the Impacts of Laws for Transferring Juveniles to the Criminal Justice System.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Of the many recent changes in juvenile justice, none are more prominent than waiver laws designed to more easily transfer young offenders to adult courts. These laws create more options to punish youth as if they were adults, leading some to question the need for a separate juvenile justice system. As yet, however, we have little systematic empirical basis for assessing the effectiveness of these laws. To help develop the foundation for such an assessment, this article examines the leading...
Show moreOf the many recent changes in juvenile justice, none are more prominent than waiver laws designed to more easily transfer young offenders to adult courts. These laws create more options to punish youth as if they were adults, leading some to question the need for a separate juvenile justice system. As yet, however, we have little systematic empirical basis for assessing the effectiveness of these laws. To help develop the foundation for such an assessment, this article examines the leading intended and unintended impacts identified by researchers. It then discusses critical research gaps that must be addressed if we are to develop a balanced and empirically informed assessment of the effectiveness of waiver.
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Date Issued: 2003-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1461348666, 10.1177/1541204002250876
Format: Citation

Title: Culture and Formal Social Control: The Effect of the Code of the Street on Police and Court Decision-making.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Stewart, Eric A., Warren, Patricia Y., Simons, Ronald L.
Abstract/Description: Objectives. Drawing on several interrelated lines of scholarship, we argue that cultural beliefs at individual and neighborhood levels may affect police and court decisions. We hypothesize that individuals who more strongly adhere to the code of the street or reside in areas where the street code culture is more strongly embraced will be more likely to be arrested and convicted, and that neighborhood-level effects will amplify the effect of street code adherence. Methods. To test these...
Show moreObjectives. Drawing on several interrelated lines of scholarship, we argue that cultural beliefs at individual and neighborhood levels may affect police and court decisions. We hypothesize that individuals who more strongly adhere to the code of the street or reside in areas where the street code culture is more strongly embraced will be more likely to be arrested and convicted, and that neighborhood-level effects will amplify the effect of street code adherence. Methods. To test these hypotheses, data from the Family and Community Health Study are examined using multilevel modeling. Results. Blacks who more strongly adhered to street code beliefs were more likely to be arrested and convicted; this effect was greater among those who resided in areas where the code of the street belief system was more entrenched. Conclusions. The ﬁndings highlight the potential usefulness of a focus on culture for understanding the exercise of formal social control.
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Date Issued: 2016-03-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548709286_c8e3ff5b, 10.1080/07418825.2016.1149599
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

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: 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: Early Sexual Initiation and Mental Health: A Fleeting Association or Enduring Change?.
Creator: Wesche, Rose, Kreager, Derek A, Lefkowitz, Eva S, Siennick, Sonja E
Abstract/Description: The present research examined how the within-person association between sexual initiation and internalizing symptoms decays over time, using data with annual measurement occasions across adolescence (N = 1,789) and statistical models of within-person change. Sexual initiation was associated with increased levels of internalizing symptoms for early-initiating girls (ninth grade, approximately age 15), but not for on-time-initiating girls or for boys. The association between girls' early sexual...
Show moreThe present research examined how the within-person association between sexual initiation and internalizing symptoms decays over time, using data with annual measurement occasions across adolescence (N = 1,789) and statistical models of within-person change. Sexual initiation was associated with increased levels of internalizing symptoms for early-initiating girls (ninth grade, approximately age 15), but not for on-time-initiating girls or for boys. The association between girls' early sexual initiation and internalizing symptoms declined precipitously over time. Indeed, 1 year after sexual debut, early-initiating girls were similar to on-time or noninitiating girls on internalizing symptoms, suggesting early sexual initiation does not produce lasting detriments to girls' mental health. Findings inform how researchers perceive sexual initiation, both as a developmental milestone and as a prevention target.
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Date Issued: 2017-09-01
Identifier: FSU_pmch_28776829, 10.1111/jora.12303, PMC5546176, 28776829, 28776829
Format: Citation

Title: The Effect of Agency Scandal on Public Views Toward the Correctional System.
Creator: Christina, Mancini, Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Evidence of a corrections agency scandal involving corruption can be expected to diminish public perceptions of agency effectiveness, especially in an era in which government accountability has featured prominently in national and state criminal justice policy discourse. However, relatively little scholarly attention has studied this idea. Using 2006 public opinion survey data collected prior to and after the highly publicized resignation of a corrections department director who was...
Show moreEvidence of a corrections agency scandal involving corruption can be expected to diminish public perceptions of agency effectiveness, especially in an era in which government accountability has featured prominently in national and state criminal justice policy discourse. However, relatively little scholarly attention has studied this idea. Using 2006 public opinion survey data collected prior to and after the highly publicized resignation of a corrections department director who was investigated for and subsequently convicted of graft and mismanagement, this study examines whether a prominent corrections agency scandal exerted an appreciable effect on how the public viewed the agency’s performance. Study findings suggest that the scandal had no effect on the public’s perception of the department’s performance. Implications of the study for research and policy are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2013-02-28
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1461854829, 10.1177/0734016812450026
Format: Citation

Title: The Effect of Interracial Contact on Whites’ Perceptions of Victimization Risk and Black Criminality.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Pickett, Justin, Golden, Kristin, Chiricos, Ted, Gertz, Marc
Abstract/Description: Objectives. This article examines two questions. First, does interracial contact increase or decrease Whites' perceptions of Blacks' criminality? Second, does it affect Whites' perceived victimization risk, and, if so, is the effect mediated by the perceived criminality of Blacks as compared to the perceived criminality of different racial and ethnic groups? Methods. Multivariate regression analyses of data from a national public opinion poll that included measures of perceived victimization...
Show moreObjectives. This article examines two questions. First, does interracial contact increase or decrease Whites' perceptions of Blacks' criminality? Second, does it affect Whites' perceived victimization risk, and, if so, is the effect mediated by the perceived criminality of Blacks as compared to the perceived criminality of different racial and ethnic groups? Methods. Multivariate regression analyses of data from a national public opinion poll that included measures of perceived victimization risk and the criminality of Whites and Latinos. Results. Interracial contact increases Whites' perceptions of the criminality of all racial and ethnic groups, not just Blacks. It also increases Whites' perceived risk of victimization, an effect that partially arises by increasing their perception of Whites and Latinos, and not just Blacks, as criminal. Conclusions. Although the identified effects may be due to Whites' stereotypes about Blacks, they are equally consistent with the notion that interracial contact may educate Whites about crime. Unfortunately, the present study could not investigate this possibility. Future research ideally will address this limitation, use additional measures of contact, and assess other explanations for any identified effects.
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Date Issued: 2013-05-06
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1460486253, 10.1177/0022427811431156
Format: Citation

Title: The effectiveness of prison for reducing drug offender recidivism: a regression discontinuity analysis.
Creator: Mitchell, Ojmarrh, Cochran, Joshua C., Mears, Daniel P., Bales, William D.
Abstract/Description: Objectives An enduring legacy of the 1980s “war on drugs” is the increased use of imprisonment for drug offenders. Advocates anticipated, in part, that prison is more effective than community sanctions in reducing recidivism. Despite the contribution of drug offender incarceration to prison growth nationally, and debates about whether this approach should be curtailed, only limited rigorous research exists that evaluates the effect of imprisonment on drug offender recidivism. To address this...
Show moreObjectives An enduring legacy of the 1980s “war on drugs” is the increased use of imprisonment for drug offenders. Advocates anticipated, in part, that prison is more effective than community sanctions in reducing recidivism. Despite the contribution of drug offender incarceration to prison growth nationally, and debates about whether this approach should be curtailed, only limited rigorous research exists that evaluates the effect of imprisonment on drug offender recidivism. To address this gap, this paper uses sentencing and recidivism data from a cohort of individuals convicted of felony drug offenses in Florida to examine the effect of imprisonment—as compared to community sanctions—on recidivism. Methods Regression discontinuity analyses are used. These minimize potential selection bias by exogenously assigning cases to conditions based on a rating variable and a cut-off score. Results Results indicate that prison has no effect on drug offenders’ rates of reconviction. This finding holds across a range of offender subgroups (racial and ethnic, gender, age, and prior criminal justice system involvement). Conclusions Imprisoning individuals convicted of marginally serious drug offenses—that is, those close to a cut-off score for being sent to prison—did not reduce subsequent offending. This finding suggests that curtailing the use of imprisonment for such individuals will not appreciably affect future criminal activity and may have the benefit of reducing correctional system costs.
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Date Issued: 2017-02-08
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548788569_d3bdd7eb, 10.1007/s11292-017-9282-6
Format: Citation

Title: Efforts to Reduce Consumer Fraud Victimization Among the Elderly: The Effect of Information Access on Program Awareness and Contact.
Creator: Mears, Daniel P., Reisig, Michael D., Scaggs, Samuel, Holtfreter, Kristy
Abstract/Description: Concern about the risk of consumer fraud victimization among the elderly has led to programs that disseminate fraud prevention information and provide services. However, little is known about how seniors access such information or learn about or contact these programs. Drawing on scholarship on fraud, media consumption, and the fear of crime, this study contributes to efforts to understand and reduce consumer fraud victimization. Analyses of data from adults age 60 and above demonstrate that...
Show moreConcern about the risk of consumer fraud victimization among the elderly has led to programs that disseminate fraud prevention information and provide services. However, little is known about how seniors access such information or learn about or contact these programs. Drawing on scholarship on fraud, media consumption, and the fear of crime, this study contributes to efforts to understand and reduce consumer fraud victimization. Analyses of data from adults age 60 and above demonstrate that certain segments of the elderly population access a greater variety of information sources to learn about fraud prevention. In turn, such access is associated with greater fraud prevention program awareness and contact.
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Date Issued: 2014-10-28
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548701949_9d56e014, 10.1177/0011128714555759
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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Extradyadic sex and union dissolution among young adults in opposite-sex married and cohabiting unions.
Creator: Frisco, Michelle L, Wenger, Marin R, Kreager, Derek A
Abstract/Description: This study investigates extradyadic sex (EDS) among contemporary opposite-sex married and cohabiting young adults and examines how EDS is associated with union dissolution. By analyzing data from 8301 opposite-sex spouses and cohabiters in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we estimate the prevalence of self-reported EDS, reports of partners' EDS, and reports of mutual EDS (i.e., both partners' engagement in EDS). Roughly 1 in 4 respondents reported that either...
Show moreThis study investigates extradyadic sex (EDS) among contemporary opposite-sex married and cohabiting young adults and examines how EDS is associated with union dissolution. By analyzing data from 8301 opposite-sex spouses and cohabiters in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, we estimate the prevalence of self-reported EDS, reports of partners' EDS, and reports of mutual EDS (i.e., both partners' engagement in EDS). Roughly 1 in 4 respondents reported that either they, their partner or both engaged in EDS. Young men were more likely than women to self-report EDS, while young women were more likely to report partners' EDS. Relative to no EDS, partners' EDS was associated with union dissolution, but self-reported EDS and mutual EDS were not. A partner's EDS was also associated with union dissolution relative to self-reported EDS. Associations between a partner's EDS and dissolution were consistent among spouses and cohabiters and among men and women.
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Date Issued: 2017-02-01
Identifier: FSU_pmch_28126106, 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2016.08.013, PMC5300748, 28126106, 28126106, S0049-089X(16)30489-6
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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Heterogeneous Effects Of Adolescent Violent Victimization On Problematic Outcomes In Early Adulthood.
Creator: Turanovic, Jillian J.
Abstract/Description: Violent victimization-particularly when it happens to young people-can inflict a wide array of negative consequences across the life course. Nevertheless, some victims are more likely to suffer these consequences than others, and we do not have a very good understanding of why that is. One promising avenue of research is to examine how individuals' differential risks of being victimized affect the extent to which they experience negative outcomes. By using propensity score matching and data...
Show moreViolent victimization-particularly when it happens to young people-can inflict a wide array of negative consequences across the life course. Nevertheless, some victims are more likely to suffer these consequences than others, and we do not have a very good understanding of why that is. One promising avenue of research is to examine how individuals' differential risks of being victimized affect the extent to which they experience negative outcomes. By using propensity score matching and data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 8,323), in this study I estimate the heterogeneous effects of adolescent violent victimization on several problematic outcomes in early adulthood (violent and property offending, subsequent violent victimization, depressive symptoms, hard drug use, and low educational attainment). Individuals' differential risks of adolescent violent victimization are estimated with a host of personal, social, and contextual factors, including prior experiences with crime and violence. The results show that the consequences of adolescent victimization in early adulthood are more pronounced for youth with the lowest risks of being victimized. These findings have important implications for theory, research, and practice, and they emphasize that the consequences of victimization cannot be understood separately from the sources of victimization.
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Date Issued: 2019-02-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_wos_000458826900004, 10.1111/1745-9125.12198
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: 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: 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: 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: In Prison and Far From Home: Spatial Distance Effects on Inmate Misconduct.
Creator: Lindsey, Andrea M., Mears, Daniel P., Cochran, Joshua C., Bales, William D., Stults, Brian J.
Abstract/Description: Drawing on theory and research on prisoner behavior, this study examines whether spatial distance from home influences inmates’ likelihood of engaging in misconduct. Three hypotheses are developed: distally placed inmates will engage in more misconduct, distance will have a greater effect on misconduct among younger inmates, and visitation will mediate these relationships. We test the hypotheses using negative binomial regression analyses of data from the Florida Department of Corrections (N ...
Show moreDrawing on theory and research on prisoner behavior, this study examines whether spatial distance from home influences inmates’ likelihood of engaging in misconduct. Three hypotheses are developed: distally placed inmates will engage in more misconduct, distance will have a greater effect on misconduct among younger inmates, and visitation will mediate these relationships. We test the hypotheses using negative binomial regression analyses of data from the Florida Department of Corrections (N = 33,853). Support for the hypotheses is mixed. A curvilinear relationship between distance and misconduct was identified, with a positive effect on misconduct for distances up to 350 miles and a negative effect thereafter. Distance effects were greater for younger inmates and were partially mediated by visitation. Implications of the findings are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2017-08-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548708372_294174a2, 10.1177/0011128715614017
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: Inmate Social Ties and the Transition to Society: Does Visitation Reduce Recidivism?.
Creator: Bales, William D., Mears, Daniel P.
Abstract/Description: Despite increased scholarly and policy attention to prisoner reentry, much remains unknown about the factors that contribute to a successful transition from prison to society. The authors focused on a neglected but potentially critical factor, inmate visitation, that may reduce recidivism. The expectation of such an effect stems from prominent crime theories and an increasing body of work that stresses the importance of social ties to the reentry process. Using data from the Florida...
Show moreDespite increased scholarly and policy attention to prisoner reentry, much remains unknown about the factors that contribute to a successful transition from prison to society. The authors focused on a neglected but potentially critical factor, inmate visitation, that may reduce recidivism. The expectation of such an effect stems from prominent crime theories and an increasing body of work that stresses the importance of social ties to the reentry process. Using data from the Florida Department of Corrections, the authors tested hypotheses about the effects of visitation on recidivism. The measures of visitation included whether any visits occurred, the frequency and recency of visitation, and the type of visitor received (e.g., family member, friend). The authors also examined whether visitation effects varied by age, sex, race, type of instant offense, and prior incarceration. The findings indicate that visitation reduces and delays recidivism. Their implications for theory, research, and policy are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2008-08-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1548442698_2983ad62, 10.1177/0022427808317574
Format: Citation

Title: Internalizing Symptoms, Peer Substance Use, and Substance Use Initiation.
Creator: Siennick, Sonja E, Widdowson, Alex O, Woessner, Mathew, Feinberg, Mark E
Abstract/Description: This study used longitudinal survey and social network data covering sixth through ninth grades to test whether internalizing symptoms make early adolescents more prone to (1) exposure to and (2) influence by substance-using peers. Random effects regressions revealed that increases in symptoms were significantly associated with increases in the proportion of friends who used cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana; some associations weakened across grades. Event history models revealed that the...
Show moreThis study used longitudinal survey and social network data covering sixth through ninth grades to test whether internalizing symptoms make early adolescents more prone to (1) exposure to and (2) influence by substance-using peers. Random effects regressions revealed that increases in symptoms were significantly associated with increases in the proportion of friends who used cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana; some associations weakened across grades. Event history models revealed that the effect of friends' smoking on smoking initiation decreased as internalizing symptoms increased; symptoms did not moderate the effects of friends' alcohol and marijuana use on alcohol and marijuana use initiation. These findings counter the influence hypothesis of the co-occurrence of internalizing symptoms with substance use and partly support the exposure hypothesis.
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Date Issued: 2016-12-01
Identifier: FSU_pmch_28070153, 10.1111/jora.12215, PMC5215896, 28070153, 28070153
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: 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

College of Criminology and Criminal Justice (128)	+ -
University Libraries (2)	+ -
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine (1)	+ -
Department of Psychology (1)	+ -
Department of Sociology (1)	+ -

Humans (4)	+ -
Female (3)	+ -
Male (3)	+ -
Adolescent (2)	+ -
Peer Group (2)	+ -

Adolescent Behavior/psychology (1)	+ -
Adult (1)	+ -
Child (1)	+ -
Crime (1)	+ -
Criminology (1)	+ -
Demography (1)	+ -
Depressive Disorder/epidemiology (1)	+ -
Depressive Disorder/psychology (1)	+ -
Deviant behavior (1)	+ -
Ecology (1)	+ -
Firearms (1)	+ -
Friends (1)	+ -
Friends/psychology (1)	+ -
Geography (1)	+ -
Homicide/statistics & numerical data (1)	+ -
Incidence (1)	+ -
Law (1)	+ -
Lead/blood (1)	+ -
Marijuana Abuse (1)	+ -
Marijuana Smoking (1)	+ -
Missouri/epidemiology (1)	+ -
Pennsylvania/epidemiology (1)	+ -
Population (1)	+ -
Population Groups (1)	+ -
Prevalence (1)	+ -

text (128)	+ -
journal article (54)	+ -

Mears, Daniel P. (107)	+ -
Cochran, Joshua C. (23)	+ -
Bales, William D. (19)	+ -
Mancini, Christina (13)	+ -
Stewart, Eric A. (10)	+ -

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