Criminal Justice

14Jan

On the Margins of AI: Digital Isolation in Justice-Involved Settings

Understanding the human impact of limited digital access.  Technology shapes nearly every aspect of daily life—from how we communicate and learn, to how we access essential services. Yet, for millions of justice-involved individuals worldwide, limited access to digital tools and skills (i.e., digital exclusion) is creating a growing disadvantage.  This gap is becoming even more consequential as society rapidly enters an era defined by artificial intelligence (AI). As AI systems become...

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24Sep

The Future of Probation: Where Technology and Restorative Justice Align

Probation services around the world carry a dual responsibility of keeping communities safe while helping prepare justice-involved individuals for successful reintegration into society. For decades, the focus of probation has leaned heavily on supervision and enforcement to ensure compliance with conditions and reduce reoffending through monitoring and sanctions. But in recent years,...

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A doctor and their patient talk over a video call. The doctor is seen listening and smiling on screen.
06Aug

Empowering Women in Prison: Leveraging Technology for a Trauma-Informed Approach

Justice-involved individuals, particularly women in prison, face unique and complex challenges. Their rehabilitation journey requires more than a one-size-fits-all solution—it demands a trauma-informed approach that recognizes their lived experiences to encourage healing. A trauma-informed approach, when thoughtfully applied, can help build safer, more empowering environments where incarcerated women are given...

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18Oct

Innovative Approaches to Safety: Exploring the Potential of TRAP-18

The insights presented in this blog are based on current published research. MHS disclaims the use and application of the TRAP-18 other than by qualified professionals and as intended. Further research is required to fully validate these initial research findings. Since the early 1990’s, law enforcement agencies have faced significant challenges...

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30Jul

Technology’s Impact on Desistance: Enabling Positive Change

In the evolving landscape of criminology, the concept of desistance—the process by which individuals cease and abstain from criminal behavior—is gaining prominence. Public safety organizations are shifting from a predominant focus on factors that increase risk to a focus on factors that also reduce risk. This shift recognizes the complexities...

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06May

A person-centric approach to modernizing correctional facilities and probation

There has been a paradigm shift towards a person-centric approach to rehabilitating and reintegrating individuals within correctional facilities and probation. This approach focuses on recognizing the intrinsic value of every individual involved in the criminal justice process. The foundation of this perspective lies in acknowledging a person’s dignity and potential...

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11Apr

Assessing Youth Functioning, Strengths, and Goals: CAFAS and PECFAS

Key takeaways: The CAFAS and PECFAS are vital tools for mental health professionals to assess youth functioning, strengths, and goals, aiding in treatment planning and outcome evaluation across various domains. Developed by Dr. Kay Hodges, these assessments streamline decision-making processes by informing treatment type and intensity, level of care,...

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05Feb

Transforming Correctional Staff Wellbeing with Innovative Technology

The escalating issue of mental health challenges among correctional staff has become a pressing concern within the criminal justice system. As custodians of order and safety in correctional facilities, these professionals deal with an array of stressors, from the ever-present potential for violence to the emotional toll of managing justice-involved...

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A close-up of two people's hands as they write in a notebook.
19Dec

Exploring the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised: 2nd Edition

The evaluation of psychopathy has a rich and extensive history. Beginning with the initial reflections of trailblazing psychologists and psychiatrists, extending to Cleckley’s (1976) formulation of 16 diagnostic criteria for identifying psychopathy. No more is this history prevalent than in the work of Robert D. Hare, the author of

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15Sep

Navigating Youth Diversion: Strategies, Pitfalls, and Impact

Diversion helps youth who have offended as it offers tailored interventions for their needs, counters adverse effects of formal processing, and promotes rehabilitation over punishment. In this blog we explore diverse diversion strategies, how these strategies balance rehabilitation and accountability, and the importance of fair decision-making for positive individual and...

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