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Emilee received her master’s degree in Criminal Justice Sciences and bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Illinois State University. Before joining the ICJIA, she was a graduate research assistant, where she worked in conjunction with the Illinois State University Police Department on a project to reduce property crime on campus. Recently,...

Individuals released from prison often face immediate challenges related to employment, housing, behavioral health, and social support. While high recidivism rates among returning citizens continue to be an issue in many communities, certain reentry programs have shown effectiveness in improving outcomes for released individuals. This article provides an overview of...

U.S. veterans have made significant contributions to American freedom and many have risked their lives to defend the country. Some suffer a range of poor physical and behavioral health outcomes upon returning to civilian life, putting them at greater risk for criminal justice involvement. Military veterans comprise a small but...

Research is limited on the use of electronic monitoring for individuals released from state correctional institutions. Available research indicates mixed results as to the efficacy of electronic monitoring in deterring individuals from committing technical violations—or violations of their conditions of release—and future criminal offending behavior. Further, the risks for collateral...

The way in which probation and parole officers communicate and interact can impact outcomes for their clients. This literature review examines strategies geared towards enhancing outcomes for individuals under correctional supervision—core correctional practices and motivational interviewing. These practices have been found to generate more positive outcomes for individuals on probation...

Social service workers with lived experience can be valuable assets to those experiencing the loss of a loved one to homicide. Researchers examined interview data gathered from a Chicago homicide survivor service agency evaluation and found workers who had previously experienced the homicide of a loved one brought many benefits...

Repeated and deadly encounters between law enforcement officers and Black Americans have given way to mounting calls for police reform. Reformers have proposed reallocating funds from policing to communities and social services, rethinking police use of force policies, and improving measures for officer accountability. This literature review briefly describes the...

Firearms prohibitors are factors which prohibit a person from transferring or possessing a firearm or firearm ammunition as outlined in the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. The Firearm Prohibitors and Records Improvement Task Force is responsible for researching available funding opportunities for entities required to report firearms prohibitors. This includes,...

Local police are expected to use the least amount of force necessary against citizens, both in self-defense and in defense of others. Although relatively rare, many incidents of excessive, and even lethal, force used by police have been documented, particularly in situations involving people of color. Specifically, Black Americans are...

Racial profiling in traffic and pedestrian stops is a major concern for the public and advocacy groups. In order to better understand stops and searches occurring in Illinois, the Illinois legislature passed the Illinois Traffic and Pedestrian Stop Statistical Study Act requiring police officers to record demographic and stop data...

As drug overdoses continue to rise, public health scholars have called for more research to understand opioid and other substance misuse and offer treatment and intervention recommendations, particularly for persons with criminal justice system involvement. This study linked fatal opioid-related overdose data with criminal history data to inform responses...

Losing a loved one to homicide can be traumatizing for family and friends, often referred to as survivors. These survivors may need emotional, social, and financial support, as well as guidance through the criminal justice system process. Several organizations have emerged to address survivors’ needs. We examined Chicago Survivors, a...

Research indicates women are strong assets to police departments, but they may encounter barriers when attempting to enter the male-dominated field of policing. This study examined the experiences of six female police leaders in Illinois to learn about the challenges they faced and to discover how police departments can recruit,...

Although school violence is not a new phenomenon, school safety continues to be a leading public health concern, particularly following high-profile school shootings. In response to these events, many schools have quickly implemented strategies to enhance safety, but research indicates certain responses may actually worsen student well-being. This literature review...

Maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment is important for students’ well-being and quality of education. Schools and communities seek the most effective strategies to ensure the safety of students and staff. This literature review discusses the evidence on various school safety practices and programs. Though schools have been quick...

Many believe mental illness and violence are associated. Despite research showing the vast majority of individuals with mental illness are not violent, the dangerousness of mental illness is frequently exaggerated in the news and entertainment industries. Resultant stigma toward those with mental illness can greatly impact public policy and opinion....