UO Criminal Justice Lab

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More research from our lab:

Our current system isn't working on many levels. Facts and ideas below:
https://youtu.be/KPO3EkA__Xg
https://youtu.be/nvkb653FhIU

Some background on Oregons recent measure decriminalizing small amounts of substances, a move aimed at changing the landscape on the war on drugs

Some research from our lab on the disparities in incarceration:

We sat down with Dr. Jean Kjellstrand, who heads the University of Oregon’s Criminal Justice
Lab, about what motivates her for this work. We are grateful for her leadership and her passion for helping children and families impacted within the carceral system.

What motivated you to form the criminal justice lab?
I developed and launched the UO Criminal Justice Lab to fulfill the growing interest among UO
students in criminal justice research broadly and my research specifically. The lab regularly attracts over 20 graduate and undergraduate students each year who gain valuable research experience.

What is your area of focus/concentration?
I received a Ph.D. in Social Work. Now, as an interdisciplinary prevention scientist, I focus on strategies to promote the healthy development and well-being of children, specifically children with an incarcerated parent. Using both basic research and community-participatory approaches, I conduct research that examines the impact of parental incarceration on children.
This research then guides my work focused on developing, implementing, and evaluating
interventions to support parents and their children during and following incarceration.

What do you find most challenging about this work?
The development and testing of interventions is a slow process. I wish there was a way to speed up this part of the process.

What is most rewarding about this work?
I love working with students and community partners. Together we continue to find out more
about families involved in the criminal justice system and new ways to support the families.

What are some takeaways from your research that you wish more people in the community
knew?
Our country currently has the dubious titles of the largest prison population and highest rate of incarceration in the world. This prison boom affects not only incarcerated individuals but also their families and children left behind to contend with family disruption, financial insecurity, and the stigma of an incarcerated relative. We need to develop strategies to 1) prevent incarceration or 2) help support families during and following incarceration so as to promote better outcomes for all.

What is something that the students you work with find surprising about you?
Hmm…good question. I really don’t know what students find surprising. I hope they find me to be a kind, generous, and thoughtful faculty member who provides them with helpful skills and information.

Lots of crucial research being conducted! Check it out!

We were recently able to give these two UO students a tour of our campus. Now we want to send them a huge THANK YOU for nominating Sponsors for a $25,000 grant! We are so honored to be one five finalists in the running, and so grateful for these hardworking students.