Theses and Dissertations - Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice

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Religiosity, spirituality, and substance abuse
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2009) Allen, Thomas; Lo, Celia C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Religiosity and spirituality are concepts often considered means of reducing substance abuse and are employed in substance abuse recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Substance abuse is a serious social problem in the United States, a country in which religiosity and spirituality have been subject to change and re-definition, especially since the social turmoil of the 1960s. This study utilized data from the 2004 General Social Survey to examine the effects of religiosity and spirituality on substance abuse and to understand that social bonding may mediate the effects of religiosity on substance abuse outcomes. Four substance abuse outcomes were examined: lifetime crack use, lifetime injection drug use, drinking problem in the past year, and illegal substance use in the past year. A three-stage multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the effects of religiosity and spirituality on substance abuse outcomes as well the hypothesized mediating status of social bonding. The results show that, with few exceptions, religiosity was negatively associated with substance abuse. Further, social bonding variables did slightly mediate the negative relationship between religiosity and substance abuse. As expected, spirituality increased the odds of some measures of substance abuse after religiosity was controlled. Policy implications and further research are discussed.
Drug trafficking and gun carrying: a co-occurring phenomenon among urban male youth
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2009) Allen, Andrea Nicole; Lo, Celia C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
This study examines an often-observed, but rarely studied, phenomenon of drug trafficking and gun carrying behaviors among urban male youth, as much of social science research so far addresses the two behaviors separately. Attention is directed at delineating the social mechanisms, namely individual-level risk factors (poverty, family, and education), that lead youth to adopt code-related beliefs, which increase risks for engaging in drug trafficking and gun carrying. Results from the multivariate data analysis indicate that race and code-related beliefs are significant predictors of participation in co-occurring behaviors. Additionally, the impact of code-related beliefs on participation in co-occurring behaviors was not found to be different for different racial groups as suggested by Anderson. Little support was found for individual-level risk factors, as a whole, impacting participation in co-occurring behaviors. Implications of the findings are discussed with regard to the impact of racial status, as a risk factor, and code-related beliefs on participation in co-occurring behaviors by urban male youth.
Quantifying risk for sexual assault in prisons
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Pyle, Benjamin Schultz; Forde, David R.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Traditional studies of sexual assault in the prison system have focused upon identifying those inmates most likely to perpetrate the offence. However, little research has been conducted upon better identification of those inmates most at risk for sexual assault victimization. The purpose of this study was to analyze an existing dataset in order to evaluate if risk of sexual assault in prison could be quantified through qualitative data. Using secondary qualitative data of 409 males in 30 institutions in 10 states, theoretical risk-assessment indices were created based upon a review of the relevant literature. Reliability was then assessed of the constructed indices, and was followed by Exploratory Factor Analyses (EFA) to further construct reliable and valid risk-assessment indices. Results indicated that the identified variables could be used for quantification of risk assessment. By extracting quantifiable risk assessment from qualitative data, further insight was gleaned as how to more effectively construct risk assessment instruments to more accurately measure sexual assault in prisons.
Social locations, religiosity, and the co-occurrence of substance abuse and psychological distress
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Tenorio, Kimberly A.; Lo, Celia C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
With data from the 2007 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the study examined effects of social locations upon the co-occurrence of substance abuse and psychological distress. Also explored was whether and how religiosity mediated the relationship between these social locations and co-occurring behaviors. Religiosity was used as an indicator of the four bonding elements of the social control theory, and was theorized to both neutralize stress and provide support among disadvantaged individuals. The general results indicate that men, White individuals, and those living in poverty were more likely to exhibit co-occurring drug abuse and psychological distress. In addition, co-occurring behaviors were less likely to be found among married individuals and those reporting higher levels of education. Furthermore, those individuals with higher levels of religiosity were generally less likely to exhibit co-occurring behaviors. Policy implications and further research needs are discussed.
A systematic review of surveys on public attitudes toward community notification for sex offenders
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Powell, Alisha; Lichtenstein, Bronwen; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Scholarly interest in sex offender community notification laws increased after Megan's Law of 1994 mandated public notification of registered sex offenders. This interest centered primarily on public attitudes toward sex offenders and community notification. The current study consisted of a systematic analysis of published studies on public attitudes towards sex offender community notification laws between 1994 and 2010. The analysis was operationalized through a series of searches performed through library databases and internet search engines and yielded a total of 14 studies over the study period. Nine of these studies related to public attitudes toward community notification and five studies were about professional attitudes toward community notification, or a combination of professional, community, and student attitudes toward community notification. The results indicated that 1) most community-based surveys used telephone sampling, 2) surveys of employees or community and student samples used mixed methods such as classroom questionnaires, internet surveys, or personal interviews, 3) members of the public support community notification regardless of location, gender, or methodology, 4) community notification was associated with greater fear and actions to protect self and children, 5) support for community notification was strong even if participants thought notification did not help reduce recidivism and 6) public attitudes toward community notification were similar across the United States 7) law enforcement professionals showed greater support for community notification than mental health professionals, and 8) public support for community notification may have intensified over time. The study concluded that community support for community notification in the US is widespread despite evidence to suggest that notification has done little to reduce recidivism for sex offending.
Gender and sentencing outcomes: does region matter?
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Holland, Melanie Marie; Prohaska, Ariane; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Previous research has acknowledged that a relationship exists between gender and sentencing outcomes. However, a gap exists in research regarding how regional differences affect this relationship. Some research suggests that gender ideologies differ by region within the United States. This predicted relationship can be explained using the paternalism theory, which states that women receive more leniency than men because they are perceived as needing more protection as a result of a patriarchal society. This study incorporates data from the 2008 Monitoring of Federal Criminal Sentences collected by the United States Sentencing Commission to analyze the relationship between region, gender, and sentence outcomes using the theoretical perspective of paternalism. This study found that women received leniency throughout the criminal justice system. The Deep South did exhibit more conservative values resulting in harsher sentencing for most of the stages. However, women from the Deep South did not appear to receive any more leniency than women not from the Deep South.
School resource officers and school incidents: a quantitative study
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2011) Stevenson, Quanda Watson; Williams, Jimmy John; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
In the United States and abroad, violence is still plaguing our schools. During the 1990s, many schools experienced sporadic but violent occurrences of school violence (Ismaili, 2011; Yogan, 2000). Although, most violent school acts are random and school crime is down, school incidents are now a concern (Rogers, 2004; Ismaili, 2011). As a result, school incidents have become one of the major concerns of students, parents, school administrators and law enforcement. Due to increases in school incidents, many preventive programs have been created. One of the most widely used techniques for preventing school incidents are school resource officers (SROs) (Devine, 1996; Rogers, 2004; Theriot, 2009). According to the crime control model, the SRO as a law enforcement agent should control and thereby reduce routine and daily occurrences of crimes in schools; which are also called school incidents. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of SROs this study examined their ability to control thereby reduce school incidents in a total of 18 middle and high schools. Overall, this study evaluated SROs in these schools by comparing the means of the number of school incidents that occurred before and after the placement of SROs. The analyses showed that having an SRO did not decrease the total number of school incidents reported two years following their implementation. The findings also showed middle schools experiencing more occurrences of school incidents; especially assaults and weapons then high schools in regard to educational levels.
Epicrim and child sexual abuse: a public health theory for a criminal justice epidemic
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Skvortsova, Tanya; Lanier, Mark; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is increasingly described by government agencies and academic commentators as a public health problem. A range of theories has been put forward to explain different aspects, or perspectives, of child sexual abuse. These include free-standing theories such as implicit theories, rational choice, routine activities and social learning theories. Integrated theories have also been developed in an attempt to explain the individual actions of those engaging in CSA and the social ecology within which it takes place. Epicrim is an emerging criminological theory that seeks to re-conceptualize crime as a public health issue and adoptsf a cross-disciplinary approach that is rooted in public health strategies. Here, epicrim was applied to the issue of CSA to see whether the theory is effective at explaining its commission and consequences across both individual and societal levels. Existing theories were integrated into the resulting epicrimiological model, where appropriate. A number of existing and proposed policies aimed at preventing or addressing CSA were evaluated against the resulting epicriminological model of CSA. Policy reform suggestions were made where deficits were identified.
Knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS and HIV law among probationers and parolees in Alabama
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Barber, Brad Wayne; Lichtenstein, Bronwen; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic recently moved into its fourth decade in the U.S. In an attempt to combat this epidemic, lawmakers have implemented HIV criminalization laws, prevention programs, and treatment options in order to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS. The number of prosecutions for violating HIV disclosure laws and the number of states implementing these laws continue to increase. However, the public health community is concerned that HIV disclosure laws do not reduce HIV transmission. This thesis seeks to examine the effects of HIV criminalization on the HIV testing and treatment by examining HIV knowledge and attitudes among probationers and parolees in Alabama. A self- administered 32 item survey was administered to 200 probationers and parolees in the Birmingham Probation and Parole Office for this purpose. The study found that (1) probationers and parolees are quite knowledgeable about HIV despite their lack of access to HIV prevention programs, (2) probationers and parolees who attend HIV prevention classes are more likely to perceive themselves as being at risk for contracting HIV compared to those who did not attend HIV prevention classes, and (3) HIV disclosure laws are perceived to be a barrier to HIV testing. These results suggest that probationers and parolees would benefit from HIV prevention classes, and that they are skeptical about the benefits of HIV laws to reduce transmission.
Assessing the innocence and victimization of child soldiers
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Brons, Kathryn; Lankford, Adam; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
To date, the majority stance taken by researchers in the field of criminology has been that child soldiers should be treated as innocent victims of war. While there have been some authors who have examined whether this label should be attached to the child, none have firmly taken the minority side in this debate. International law disregards the criminal acts against humanity committed by a child soldier and instead criminalizes the adults who either abducted the child for military duty or allowed the child to willingly volunteer for the armed services. This thesis proposes that many child soldiers are not innocent victims, but they are instead perpetrators of violence. In doing so, definitions of `innocent' and `victim' are called upon to show how many child soldiers are neither of these things and are able to take advantage of the International Criminal Court because of the ambiguity in international law. Labeling theory is used as the theoretical framework for this thesis. By labeling child soldiers as innocent victims, it has an adverse effect that allows child soldiers to continue committing criminal acts.
Community attitudes toward cyberbullying: the victim's age & sex matter
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) McBride, Brittany; Seigfried-Spellar, Kathryn C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The current study was the first to examine community attitudes of cyberbullying through vignettes, or hypothetical cyberbullying scenarios. This study had four specific aims: (1) to examine whether community attitudes of cyberbullying are biased depending on the victims' sex and age, (2) to examine whether community attitudes of cyberbullying differ depending on the type of cyberbullying incident (e.g., YouTube© video, Facebook© post), (3) to examine whether individuals cognitive dispositions effect their attitudes toward cyberbullying, (4) to examine whether individuals type and frequency of media exposure effects their attitudes toward cyberbullying, (5) to determine whether respondent's thought the cyberbully's First Amendment rights were being violated or not, (6) to examine if the demographics (e.g., sex or being a parent) of the respondent effect their sensitivity levels in each vignette. This study was conducted online using an Internet-based survey, which targeted respondents over the age of 19 located in the United States. Respondents were selected using online social media sites, chat rooms, and discussion forums. A 3 x 4 mixed-subjects design with 12 conditions was used, meaning that the survey included a series of three randomized vignettes and questions regarding community attitudes of the hypothetical scenarios provided. Results suggested that females are in general more sensitive to cyberbullying victims than males. Second, respondents were more sensitive to younger victims of cyberbullying. Third, males were more likely to believe the cyberbully's First Amendment rights had been violated when compared to females. Fourth, parents are overall more sensitive to victims of cyberbullying. Fifth, individuals who have low social values are less sensitive to victims of cyberbullying. Lastly, no relationship was found between media exposure and sensitivity levels. Overall, this study revealed numerous statistically significant findings, but with this type of research there are always limitations, which will be discussed.
Law enforcement on social network sites: a course assessment
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2014) Martin, Rita Allyse; Seigfried-Spellar, Kathryn C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The current study was a pilot study intended to add to the growing literature on the use of social network sites (SNS) in investigations by law enforcement (LE) personnel. The study focused exclusively on graduates of the National Computer Forensic Institute's (NCFI) Online Social Networking (OSN) course. The study consisted of an Internet-based survey instructing respondents to evaluate their understanding of two items: (1) learning outcomes presented in the course and (2) their investigative practices since completing the course. Forty-two respondents completed the survey. The findings indicated the course is aiding law enforcement in learning and adopting SNS equipped techniques, but there is some room for improvement. Specifically, respondents displayed a lack of understanding on how to use some software programs such as FastStone Capture and On The Fly Encryption (OTFE), both important tools for investigation, apprehension, and legal proceedings. The findings emphasize the continued popularity of using SNS in investigations. Further implications of the findings are discussed and suggestions for future research in this area are presented.
Exploiting the digital frontier: hacker typology and motivation
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2014) McBrayer, John Charles; Seigfried-Spellar, Kathryn C.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The current study combined the hacker taxonomies presented by Loper (2000), Parker (1998), Rege-Patwardhan (2009), and Rogers (1999; 2006; personal communication) and proposed a simplified taxonomy which included: script kiddie, cyberpunk, password cracker, internal, and old guard hacker categories. Each category was identified by its characteristic computer deviant behaviors and analyzed against sex and seven motivational factors (i.e., addiction, curiosity, excitement/entertainment, money, power/status/ego, peer recognition, ideological, and revenge). The study had two specific aims: (1) to explore which motivations were associated with each specific computer deviant behavior, and (2) to determine if more males than females are engaging in computer deviant behavior. The study targeted computer deviants from specific websites, which discussed or promoted computer deviant behavior (e.g., hacking). Using a snowball sampling method, 120 subjects completed an anonymous, self-report questionnaire that included items measuring computer deviance, motivational factors, and demographics. Relationships were identified using zero-order correlation, then a backwards (Wald) binary logistic regression was conducted to determine the predictive ability of motivational factors on the different categories of computer deviancy. None of the computer deviant behavior specific hypotheses were fully supported. The expectation that more males would be computer deviants than females was not fully supported since males were more likely to be script kiddies, cyberpunks, and old guard hackers compared to females. The findings suggested that these computer deviant behaviors overlapped in both motivational factors and the behaviors themselves. The study found that script kiddie, password cracker, and old guard hacker behaviors were all only motivated by addiction. Cyberpunk behavior was found to be motivated by financial, peer recognition, and revenge motivations, and internal computer deviant behavior was found to be related to financial and peer recognition motivations. Overall, the current study suggested that there was significant motivational and behavioral overlap between computer deviant categories, and not all computer deviants were predominately male. The author concluded that using a strict computer hacker taxonomy may not accurately reflect the true nature of computer deviant behavior.
Rape myth acceptance in the Deep South
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2015) Rocker, Dixie; Prohaska, Ariane; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The current study explores the relationship between rape myth acceptance and masculinity in the Deep South. Rape myth acceptance has been studied in great detail, with many researchers asserting that the greatest predictor for rape myth acceptance is gender. However, no previous research has examined how southern masculinity is related to rape myth acceptance. In this study, I analyzed the relationships between masculinity and rape myth acceptance in the South using the updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (IRMA), which measures belief systems that endorse a culture of sexual violence (Payne, Lonsway, & Fitzgerald, 1999; McMahon & Farmer, 2011) and the Conformity to Masculinity Norms Inventory (CMNI), which measures men’s conformity to masculine norms (Burns & Mahalik, 2008), controlling for all relevant variables. Results from this study do not support a relationship between masculinity, rape myth acceptance, and the Deep South. The current study contends that future research needs to develop a specific and comprehensive measure of southern masculinity that captures what it truly means to be a man from the Deep South.
Victim-defense attorney interactions in court: the defense attorney perspective
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2015) Alexander, Lauren Nicole; Pennington, Liana; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Despite substantial research focusing on victims of crime and their interactions with various criminal justice professionals, few studies have explored the relationship between victims and defense attorneys. Understanding these interactions is critical to developing positive interactions between victims and defense attorneys, as well as promoting positive outcomes for both criminal defendants and victims. This study focuses specifically on the nature of victim and federal public defense attorney interactions within the federal court setting from a defense attorney perspective. This study also explores the implications of adopting victim outreach programs like Defense-Initiated Victim Outreach, or DIVO, in a southern state. These types of programs promote restorative justice measures and victim outreach on behalf of defense attorneys. Through in-depth interviews which examine the thoughts, opinions, and experiences of defense attorneys, this study provides new information concerning how defense attorneys perceive victim and defense attorney interactions in their work. This research also provides insight into critical aspects of the criminal justice process. Interactions between legal professionals and victims can have a direct impact on cases and the emotional well-being of victims, defendants, and the professionals who work alongside them. Defense attorneys offer a unique perspective that could help provide further knowledge for creating positive effects for interactions with victims.
The linguistics of terror: a content analysis of suicide notes and martyr manifestos
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2016) Smith, Chelsea H.; Lankford, Adam; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Despite growing interest in the motivations and psychological profiles of suicide attackers, few empirical studies have examined their personal writings and recordings. The present study seeks to uncover linguistic trends in the manifestos, suicide notes, and recorded speeches of suicide attackers. Using the content analysis software, Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count, the author seeks to uncover patterns within these documents and establish identifying trends across geography, attack type, and/or group affiliation. Given the framework provided by Institutional Anomie Theory, linguistic trends are expected to arise in relation to these factors and variations in societal anomie. This study also aims to add to previous literature regarding attacker attitudes and incentives more broadly using aggregated sample data.
An analysis of human trafficking in Alabama
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2017) McKenzie, Daniel H.; Lanier, Mark; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
While awareness of human trafficking has increased in recent years, research suggests that more education is needed for first responders (e.g., law enforcement, fire and rescue, health care professionals, etc.) in order to give them more knowledge so they can better recognize occurrences of the crime and assist victims of human trafficking. Furthermore, previous research contends that data concerning the number of victims trafficked both worldwide and domestically is often exaggerated and lacks a scientific basis. The current research examines the number of human trafficking cases that have been documented in the state of Alabama. The study utilizes a mixed method approach to measure the perception that law enforcement officers in Alabama have regarding the issue of human trafficking, the amount of training received on the topic, and the number of cases investigated during 2014. The findings were then compared to findings from a previous study that examined similar issues in the state of Florida.
Sources of strain experienced by homegrown jihadist terrorists
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2017) Sikes, Michael; Lankford, Adam; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
The United States is not immune to the threat of homegrown jihadist terrorism. The issue demands more attention with each successful attack. Identifying individuals before they radicalize and commit acts of violence is a significant challenge. This study advances that effort by analyzing strain among homegrown jihadist terrorists. Although it is widely assumed that the lives of homegrown jihadist terrorists are uniquely different, the results show otherwise. The most common pressures and stresses experienced by terrorists are very much the same as other Americans and Muslim Americans. Clarifying these misconceptions will help eliminate biases and guide counterterrorism strategy towards evidence based solutions.
Reporting behaviors of women inmates
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2017) Surrell, April Marie; Johnson, Ida M.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
Sexual assault within the correctional system has been a constant issue in America since its creation. While special protections are supposed to be provided for vulnerable populations such as inmates, research shows that for many inmates in prisons around the country, adequate protection against inappropriate sexual behaviors is not ensured. The best way to ensure inmates’ protection is to have a reporting system in place, but this system can only work if the inmates trust the system and feel that it is legitimate enough for them to utilize it. If inmates do not file reports, there is a systematic issue with the prison’s reporting system that must be addressed. The present study was conducted by interviewing 40 women inmates in the Birmingham Work Release Facility in Birmingham, Alabama and it examined how comfortable inmates were with reporting inappropriate sexual behavior when it happens, and when the report is made, how they felt it was handled. The study found that after the Department of Justice settlement agreement made with the Alabama Department of Corrections that mandated changes to be made in the treatment of sexual assault within their facilities, women inmates felt more comfortable reporting abuse; however, reporting was highly dependent on the facility they were incarcerated in and the level of trust they had in the correctional staff. The conclusions of the study allow researchers to better understand the problem of inappropriate sexual behaviors in prisons as it relates to the reporting systems in place and be able to take meaningful steps to improve the safety of inmates in prisons today. Keywords: Women’s prisons, sexual assault, legitimacy and trust, sexual assault reporting, PREA
Analyzing the attitudes of law students towards sex offenders
(University of Alabama Libraries, 2017) Trull, Valerie Elisabeth; Reid, Lesley Williams; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
A significant amount of research has aimed to determine attitudes towards sex offenders and treatment for sex offenders, especially for those involved in the criminal justice system. Researchers have utilized the Community Attitudes Towards Sex Offenders (CATSO) and Attitudes Towards the Treatment of Sex Offenders (ATTSO) scales to measure attitudes of many populations, including law enforcement, corrections officers, parole boards, as well as general communities. To this point, the attitudes of those most directly involved in the courtroom— lawyers and judges—have not been addressed. As future jurists, law students can provide some insight into these attitudes. This study will attempt to determine the attitudes of a group of law students from The University of Alabama, and see if those attitudes can be changed through education.

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