2020
The Data that Can Make Prosecutors Engines of Criminal Justice ReformAccording to Melba Pearson, shifting the focus from convictions and sentences to fairness and community wellbeing is key to transforming the system. |
One in ten Florida teens report engaging in ‘digital self-harm’Approximately 10% of Florida teenagers report having engaged in “digital self-harm” – they have cyberbullied themselves. It is an emerging form of self-harm that may be increasing among adolescents, according to a recent study led by Dr. Meldrum. |
Dr. Guerette successfully admitted to the Fulbright Specialist RosterDr. Guerette will become eligible to collaborate with an international host institution on behalf of the U.S. State Department once the Covid pandemic subsides. His term will last three years. |
CCJ Faculty Help Launch Hillsborough County Prosecutorial Data DashboardHillsborough County prosecutors can now measure the impact of their work beyond conviction rates and prison commitments to include things like fairness and efficiency. |
Racial Disparity is a ‘Cancer’; Here’s How Prosecutors Can Cure ItDr. Kutateladze recently authored the op-ed for The Crime Report. In it, he discusses several ways prosecutors can address the issue of racial disparities in prosecution. |
When Florida prosecutors rely on data, criminal justice can be more transparent and equitableCCJ Faculty discuss how prosecutors in Florida are paving the way for a more race-equitable, transparent and data-driven criminal-justice system. |
Can More Black Cops Help Reduce Crime?Drs. D'Alessio and Stolzenberg recently authored the op-ed for The Crime Report. The authors suggest that increasing the number of Black police officers patrolling our streets can attenuate crime by improving relations between the police and members of the minority community. |
What modern voter suppression looks like in FloridaMelba Pearson and Julio Capó Jr. discuss the ways in which felon disenfranchisement and other forms of voter suppression can negatively impact the voting process. |
USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure Event Held in UkraineOn November 19, Dr. Peacock moderated the kick-off event of the USAID Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure in Ukraine. Over 110 viewers from Ukraine’s higher education institutions took part in a virtual round table to discuss strategies to address the country’s deficit of cybersecurity graduates. |
FIU CCJ launches Prosecutorial Performance Indicators websiteThe Prosecutorial Performance Indicators are a menu of 55 measures, which assess office-wide performance over time. The work is supported by the MacArthur Foundation’s Safety and Justice Challenge and is being implemented in partnership with Loyola University Chicago and six prosecutor's offices across the country. |
Dr. Chang Wins University Faculty AwardDr. Chang was selected for the Faculty Award for Teaching, and was acknowledged during the virtual FIU Faculty Convocation on Thursday. |
Dr. Zgoba Wins the "Outstanding Article Award" in SCJA JournalThe article, entitled, "Assessing the Impact of Restrictive Housing on Inmate Post-Release Criminal Behavior," was published in the American Journal of Criminal Justice. |
Dr. Guerette Receives Book Contract For an Edited Volume on Transnational CrimeThe book, entitled “The Evolution of Illicit Flows: Displacement and Convergence among Transnational Crime” will be co-edited with colleagues from Transcrime (Italy), Dr. Alberto Aziani and Dr. Ernesto Savona. Springer Press (Switzerland) is the book's publisher. |
Melba Pearson new director of policy, programs at Center for the Administration of JusticeMelba will work on the Center’s prosecutorial research and reform initiatives alongside Drs. Kutateladze, Richardson, and Liu. |
Ph.D. Candidate Anna Leimberg Publishes New Article in IJOTCCMs. Leimberg's lead author study entitled, "Unstructured Socializing with Peers, Low Self-Control, and Substance Use," was accepted for publication in the International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology. |
New "Research Highlights" Newsletter Showcases Faculty and Student ResearchThe newsletter highlights the various externally funded grants awarded to CCJ faculty, as well as journal articles published by both CCJ faculty and PhD students. |
Dr. Vincent-Robinson appointed SIPA’s Equity Advisor and Faculty Fellow for FIU's AWED OfficeDr. Vincent-Robinson will work collaboratively and with FIU's Office to Advance Women, Equity & Diversity (AWED) to implement SIPA’s and the University’s Diversity Equity & Inclusion Action Plans. |
Dr. Kutateladze to Receive Award for LGBTQ Hate Crimes ResearchThe SAVE Foundation will present Dr. Kutateladze with the award as part of their "Champions of Equality" Virtual Gala on Friday August 28th. |
Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor SocietyAPS is recruiting additional members. APS is an honor society that participates in various charity events. It also looks great on a resume. Due to COVID-19, we will be holding events through Zoom but we continue to be active! |
Dr. Chang wins Faculty Award for Excellence in TeachingDr. Chang won the Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. She will be recognized for this award during the Faculty Convocation Award Ceremony in Fall 2020. |
CAJ Selected for Membership in the Safety and Justice Challenge (SJC) Research ConsortiumThe Consortium is the mechanism through which the MacArthur Foundation's SJC uses its data to undertake broader research and evaluation of strategies for reducing jail populations. After a competitive application process, FIU's Center for the Administration of Justice was selected for membership in the Consortium. |
Dr. Richardson and Dr. Kutateladze publish new qualitative study on prosecutorial reformThe article, titled "Tempering expectations: A qualitative study of prosecutorial reform," is based on in-depth interviews with nearly 50 prosecutors in Tampa and Jacksonville. |
I Can't Breate: Racial Unrest in America in the Wake of George Floyd's DeathDr. Vincent and Dr. Ammons-Blanfort join FIU leaders to discuss racial tensions, the history of police brutality against people of color, and strategies to move forward. |
Cafecito Chat Special Edition: Community Violence PanelDr. Vincent converses with leaders from FIU CAPS, Miami Dade County Public Schools, City Year, and Center for Popular Democracy about the challenges of community violence and allyship in and outside of the classroom. |
The Effect of Maximum Daily Temperature on Outdoor ViolenceIn a recent paper published in Crime & Delinquency, Erik Cruz, Stewart J. D’Alessio, and Lisa Stolzenberg found that violent crime increases as temperature rises because of enhanced interaction among the public in outdoor settings. |
The Impact of Racism on International Crime and Justice SystemsDr. Vincent moderates an insightful discussion with Criminal Justice experts Dr. Ammons-Blanfort, Dr. Goddard, and Dr. Peacock on the long history of racism in the fight for justice and what we can learn from other nations. |
The Department Welcomes Two New Faculty Members for the 2020-2021 School YearDr. Lin Liu joins the department as an assistant professor, and Dr. Candice Ammons-Blanfort joins the faculty as a full-time instructor. |
Robert Archer graduates from the ICJ Ph.D. programDr. Robert Archer is graduating with his Ph.D. in International Crime and Justice this semester after successfully defending his dissertation this past fall. Congrats, Robert! |
Joelle Lee-Silcox and Erik Cruz successfully defend their dissertationsPlease join us in congratulating our latest Ph.D. graduates. Dr. Joelle Lee-Silcox and Dr. Erik Cruz both successfully defended their dissertation and will be graduating this semester. |
Sinchul "Chucky" Back Graduates with his Ph.D.Congratulations to Chucky Back on successfully completing his Ph.D. in International Crime and Justice! Chucky recently joined the faculty of the University of Scranton. |
Grad students Doug Partin, Nev Stojakovic, and Mo Alqahtani publish new journal articleThe study, entitled "Low Self-Control and Environmental Harm: A Theoretical Perspective and Empirical Test," appears in the American Journal of Criminal Justice. Dr. Meldrum and Dr. Pires collaborated with the students to produce the study. |
Criminal justice professors examine the effect of cannabis laws on opioid useIt’s no secret that the opioid epidemic has taken the lives of many. A new study conducted by criminal justice professor Jamie Flexon and her colleagues Lisa Stolzenberg and Stewart D’Alessio examines this epidemic through the lens of recent cannabis laws and their effect on opioid use. |
Yusef Salaam Speaks at the Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast about Wrongful ConvictionDr. Vincent recently sat down with Yusef Salaam, one of the Central Park Five, to discuss criminal justice advocacy, liberty, and justice for all. |
Not getting enough sleep linked to handgun carrying among teensAccording to a new study published by Dr. Meldrum and Dr. Zgoba, sleeping less than five hours a night increases a teen’s likelihood of carrying a gun and bringing one to school. |
