Research Symposium

BIO

My name is Delaney Cole and I am a second year Exploratory major, who hopes to get a nursing degree and eventually graduate medical school with a degree specializing in pediatrics. My research is focused on finding solutions to our justice system's pressing issues, such as the school-to-prison pipeline, mass incarceration, and high recidivism rates. During this research, I've enjoyed working under my mentor on such an important topic that I've always had a passion for, while learning from my mentor in many different ways. Outside of research, I am currently in the first responder's class on my way to achieving acceptance in the Medical Response Unit on campus. I also spend my time volunteering as a part of the Animal Society on campus.

Incarceration Prevention and Restorative Justice

Abstract

High incarceration rates are characteristic of our American Justice System. The War on Drugs, and the mass incarceration following it, has necessitated a movement to identify intervention programs and alternative forms of justice. Within our research, we are exploring the restorative justice movement as one such alternative; restorative justice utilizes the idea of engaging people in the community and providing options for victim to get closure, while additionally providing the space for criminals to learn from their crimes. Currently, we are exploring these options, specifically in the context of our own Leon County Sheriffs Office, which is currently receiving funding for a restorative justice program. Our research suggests that restorative justice is viable and effective within communities and schools. Restorative justice works to reduce the recidivism rates in the community and may also work within public schools (Maryfield et al, 2020). Similarly, victims also find satisfaction through this form of justice as they receive closure and feel involved in the process; 85% of victims are satisfied by this process (Restorative Justice Program). Our findings suggest that restorative justice is more efficient than traditional justice and may be successfully implemented in different institutions. Future research should focus on how restorative justice enhances communities and if restorative justice can work as a strategy within schools to address the pressing school-to-prison pipeline.

Keywords: Restorative Justice Incarceration Recidivism