Law & Criminal Justice

This research group explores a variety of topics, all of which encompass systemic issues within the criminal justice system. Schmidt’s research examines the dehumanization of people with substance use disorders, and the root of the stigma around drug use. This subject explores the clinical and family setting in which the discrimination occurs, and seeks to understand the negative implications that occur in response. Mare’s research explores therapeutic rehabilitation among teenagers, and how they affect students physically and mentally. This explores the troubled teen industry, and how therapeutic boarding schools, religious academies, boot camps etc claim to “cure” adolescent behavior but end up doing more physical and mental harm than good. Blanca’s research is based on how people of color are treated differently, when it comes to dealing with the justice system. The lives of many people have been taken away due to racial discrimination. Conwell’s research explores how information dissemination around marijuana is used to justify the over-policing of Black Americans, and focuses more minutely on the relationship between the prison system and history of anti-drug propaganda. Jointly, these papers analyze the implications of societal constructs and stereotypes, and explore their negative implications on marginalized communities. Our research discusses the larger issue of how institutions created to find solutions to systemic issues may cause more long-term harm than good.

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Click below to explore our projects.