Book Release by Assistant Professor Bonnie Ernst

Dr. Bonnie Ernst released Challenging Confinement: Mass Incarceration and the Fight for Equality in Women's Prisons.  

The book examines how the feminist movements in the late twentieth century ignited prison protests, activism, and reform in women’s prisons.  While the late twentieth century brought about greater rights for women, it also saw a rapid increase in the number of female prisoners. Before their confinement, many incarcerated women had gained access to work and higher education. But once behind bars, they found the only programs available for them perpetuated misogynistic norms.

Challenging Confinement is published by NYU Press.  

Hannah Ridner and Dylan Stolz receive Honorable Mention for MCJA Poster

Graduate student Hannah Ridner and undergraduate student Dylan Stolz recieved an Honorable Mention for their Poster titled "Setup for Failure: Gender Differences and Trauma-Informed Care in Drug Treatment Courts" at the 2023 Midwestern Criminal Justice Association Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL. 

Both students worked on research in collaboration with Dr. Tri Keah Henry.

Welcome Senior Lecturer Molly Block

Senior Lecturer Molly Block joins the Department of Criminal Justice from IU South Bend.  

Dr. Block is an alumnus of Hanover College, earned her Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Kentucky, and earned her PhD in Criminal Justice from the University of Louisville.  Dr. Block's research focuses on using environmental criminology to help explain and prevent crimes such as terrorism and substance use. 

In her role as a Senior Lecturer, Dr. Block is committed to undergraduate teaching both in and out of the classroom.  Dr. Block has been actively involved in facilitating undergraduate research and internship experiences.  She is also the department 4+1 Pathway (AMP) Coordinator.