Justice Insights

In the latest episode from the Justice Insights podcast by the Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University, researchers from CJR, Stetson University, and Elon University examine the complex relationships between community factors, mental health, violent crime, and suicide across 100 large U.S. municipalities. Key findings reveal that communities with higher proportions of Black residents show notable resilience to suicide, while lower high school graduation rates correlate with increased suicide rates. Paradoxically, better income equality associates with higher suicide rates, consistent with international data. The study highlights how mental distress, education, and social factors interconnect to influence community wellbeing, emphasizing the need for culturally-informed interventions and educational investments to address these critical public health challenges.You can find all current episodes of our Justice Insights podcast on our website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, serving as a crucial platform for sharing research from the academic sphere to the public space. There has never been a better time to disseminate facts and solutions, making these insights accessible to a broader audience outside the ivory tower.

In the latest episode from the Justice Insights podcast by the Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University, researchers examine racial disparities in welfare fraud prosecution across Harris County, Texas, analyzing 7,757 cases spanning three decades (1990–2023). Key findings reveal that African Americans comprised 70% of defendants despite representing only 18% of families in poverty, with women, particularly Black women, constituting 90.2% of those prosecuted. The study exposes how ostensibly race-neutral enforcement of federal benefit programs produces systematically harsher sentencing outcomes for Black defendants, even when controlling for legal representation and bond amounts. Researchers demonstrate how criminal justice systems transform survival strategies among economically marginalized populations into felony convictions, highlighting the urgent need for fundamental reconsideration of prosecutorial approaches to poverty-related program violations.You can find all current episodes of our Justice Insights podcast on our website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, serving as a crucial platform for sharing research from the academic sphere to the public space. There has never been a better time to disseminate facts and solutions, making these insights accessible to a broader audience outside the ivory tower.

In the latest Justice Insights podcast by the Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University, researchers present the Houston Public Safety Needs Assessment, revealing how economic hardship drives crime and incarceration in specific neighborhoods. The episode examines stark racial disparities. Black residents are 19% of Harris County's population but 51% of the jail population, and explores violence concentrated in zip codes 77088, 77036, 77016, 77093, and 77033. Community voices identify unemployment, poverty, and lack of resources as primary crime causes, while 76% report damaged trust in law enforcement. The discussion advocates for investing in jobs, higher wages, youth programs, and genuine community-police collaboration as pathways to safer Houston neighborhoods.You can find all current episodes of our Justice Insights podcast on our website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, serving as a crucial platform for sharing research from the academic sphere to the public space. There has never been a better time to disseminate facts and solutions, making these insights accessible to a broader audience outside the ivory tower.

In this episode of Justice Insights from the Center for Justice Research (CJR) at Texas Southern University, scholars explore the overlooked role of Black Funeral Home Directors (BFHDs) in reducing gun violence and premature deaths. The conversation highlights staggering disparities—such as Black teen boys facing homicide rates more than 25 times higher than their white peers—and examines how BFHDs, as trusted community leaders, can partner with social workers to deliver trauma-informed care and violence prevention. This episode underscores the power of culturally grounded institutions to break cycles of grief and create safer, healthier communities.You can find all current episodes of our Justice Insights podcast on our website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, serving as a crucial platform for sharing research from the academic sphere to the public space. There has never been a better time to disseminate facts and solutions, making these insights accessible to a broader audience outside the ivory tower.In this episode of Justice Insights from the Center for Justice Research (CJR) at Texas Southern University, scholars explore the overlooked role of Black Funeral Home Directors (BFHDs) in reducing gun violence and premature deaths. The conversation highlights staggering disparities—such as Black teen boys facing homicide rates more than 25 times higher than their white peers—and examines how BFHDs, as trusted community leaders, can partner with social workers to deliver trauma-informed care and violence prevention. This episode underscores the power of culturally grounded institutions to break cycles of grief and create safer, healthier communities.You can find all current episodes of our Justice Insights podcast on our website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, serving as a crucial platform for sharing research from the academic sphere to the public space. There has never been a better time to disseminate facts and solutions, making these insights accessible to a broader audience outside the ivory tower.

In the latest episode of the Justice Insights podcast by the Center for Justice Research (CJR) at Texas Southern University, researchers from CJR and Baylor College of Medicine examine how racialized economic segregation influences stillbirth disparities in Houston. Using census tract-level data and the Index of Concentration at the Extremes (ICE), the episode reveals that neighborhood privilege lowers stillbirth risk for White mothers but not for mothers of color. Additionally, it highlights how factors like low maternal education, obesity, and residential segregation only partially explain the racial gap, pointing to deeper systemic disparities in maternal health.You can find all current episodes of our Justice Insights podcast on our website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, serving as a crucial platform for sharing research from the academic sphere to the public space. There has never been a better time to disseminate facts and solutions, making these insights accessible to a broader audience outside the ivory tower.

In the latest episode from the Justice Insights podcast by the Center for Justice Research (CJR) at Texas Southern University, researchers from CJR and Stetson University utilize zip code-level data to examine the relationship between economic factors and crime rates in Houston, Texas. The episode highlights a significant correlation between unemployment and violent crime and explores connections between poverty, population density, and property crime rates. Additionally, it delves into a surprising finding: higher academic performance is associated with increased property crime rates. This comprehensive analysis underscores the potential benefits of enhancing economic and educational opportunities in underprivileged areas to effectively reduce crime rates. You can find all current episodes of our Justice Insights podcast on our website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, serving as a crucial platform for sharing research from the academic sphere to the public space. There has never been a better time to disseminate facts and solutions, making these insights accessible to a broader audience outside the ivory tower.

In this episode of Justice Insights, we examine Texas's ongoing voter suppression issues that heavily impact justice-involved and minority communities. Our researchers discuss historical and recent obstacles, including strict ID laws and limited polling sites, which disproportionately affect Black and Hispanic voters in Harris County. Tune in as we explore the critical need for policy reforms to ensure fair voting access, empowering communities and supporting successful reentry efforts.

Dive into our latest podcast episode, which examines the vital research funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) focused on combating the growing crisis of substance use and overdose among justice-involved individuals. Led by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from various institutions, this initiative strives to translate scientific insights into actionable strategies to enhance policies, practices, and programs within the criminal legal system. The comprehensive approach includes stakeholder engagement, research dissemination, implementation research, pilot grant funding, education, and technical assistance, all aimed at reducing overdose risks and improving health outcomes for those involved in the criminal justice system.

Listen to our latest podcast episode to explore a significant study led by Dr. Howard Henderson and Dr. Carrie Pettus. This research investigates the impact of pretrial release decisions on jail populations and crime rates in Texas, particularly during the unique conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing advanced causal inference methods, the study examines the relationship between pretrial policies and criminal justice outcomes. By analyzing data on jail populations, crime rates, and pretrial misconduct, the researchers aim to produce findings that can guide policy-making, improve pretrial decision-making, and promote fair and effective practices within the criminal justice system.

Explore our latest podcast episode, where we dive into a study that builds on prior research into the factors influencing gun possession among Black youth in urban, high-crime areas. This episode delves into how these factors might differ based on gender, involvement in the criminal justice system, and geographic location. Through qualitative interviews with Black youth, both within the community and those incarcerated for weapons charges, the research seeks to shed light on the unique needs and challenges faced by different groups. The findings aim to inform targeted policies and practices to address gun possession among urban Black youth effectively.

Explore our new podcast episode, where we delve into the collaborative effort between the Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University and the Smart Suite Researcher-Practitioner Fellows Academy at Michigan State University. This episode highlights their work to boost diversity and inclusion within criminal justice research by developing a searchable database of researchers who employ culturally responsive methods. Additionally, the collaboration offers training and support to researchers, encouraging them to work with diverse communities effectively. We also discuss their ongoing efforts to form new partnerships to broaden the scope and impact of the Smart Suite program.

Discover our new podcast episode that dives into an ambitious initiative funded by several organizations to reform the criminal justice system. This episode highlights the drive to empower prosecutors with data-driven strategies that advance public health and promote racial equity. The effort will focus on developing and evaluating diversion programs as alternatives to incarceration, particularly targeting communities disproportionately affected by the criminal justice system. Utilizing quantitative and qualitative data analysis, the effort aims to understand the impact of these programs. Collaboration with community organizations, academic institutions, and prosecutors' offices will ensure the research is tailored to the community's needs and produces practical outcomes.

Explore our latest episode, where we delve into our efforts at the Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University to promote diversity in criminal justice research and education. This episode focuses on our specialized training programs designed to empower Black graduate students and faculty, fostering greater inclusion and perspective in the field. The program will focus on equipping these scholars with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct culturally relevant research, specifically on evaluating diversion programs within the criminal justice system. The project aims to create a supportive network for these scholars, foster their growth, and ultimately contribute to systemic change within the field.

Dive into our latest podcast episode as we explore a groundbreaking collaboration between the Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University and Baylor College of Medicine. This episode focuses on their research into how structural racism affects maternal and infant health disparities, offering profound insights into these crucial health issues. Their research utilizes a comprehensive approach to examining various domains of structural racism, including criminal justice, environmental pollution, and housing discrimination, among others. The researchers plan to use statistical analysis and machine learning techniques to uncover the complex interactions between structural racism and health outcomes for Black, Hispanic, and White women in Houston, Texas. Ultimately, they seek to pinpoint crucial factors contributing to adverse health outcomes and develop evidence-based recommendations for policymakers to mitigate health disparities.

Tune into our podcast episode featuring the innovative Re-Entry Dashboard, a collaborative effort between the Texas Southern University Center for Justice Research and January Advisors. This episode explores how the dashboard is designed to enhance the reintegration process for individuals returning from incarceration in Texas, addressing key challenges and offering new solutions. This dashboard provides valuable data about over 4,600 re-entry service providers, helping to connect returning citizens, their families, and service providers. The dashboard highlights the significant issue of recidivism in Texas, with over 46% of state prisoners being re-arrested within three years. This resource underscores the critical need for robust re-entry support to promote public safety, reduce recidivism, and aid in the transition back to society for returning citizens.

Check out this podcast episode on the HBCU Criminal Justice Research Hub, a pivotal initiative tackling the root causes of crime and mass incarceration in Houston, Texas. Join us as we uncover the insights and strategies proposed by this impactful research. Recognizing the significant impact of socioeconomic factors on crime and health outcomes, particularly within communities of color, the project focuses on building culturally responsive solutions to reduce violent crime and incarceration rates. The hub plans to accomplish this through a comprehensive needs assessment, community engagement, and research development, utilizing a mixed-methods approach to gather and analyze data. By prioritizing collaboration with HBCU researchers, community activists, and individuals impacted by the criminal legal system, the project seeks to develop solutions that are informed by lived experiences and effectively address community needs.

Discover the latest research efforts from the Center for Justice Research at Texas Southern University in this podcast episode. We dive into their in-depth analysis of the criminal justice system in Houston and Harris County, highlighting the disparities and challenges that impact the community—utilizing a mix of quantitative and qualitative data to analyze police shootings, pretrial systems, prosecutorial practices, and community perspectives on crime. The research aims to identify systemic inequities, understand community needs, and propose evidence-based solutions for improving equity and justice within the local criminal justice system.

Tune into our latest podcast episode, where we spotlight the collaborative project between the Center for Justice Research (CJR) and The Metropolitan Organization’s (TMO) Police Reform Action Team. Discover their efforts to create a system that evaluates the effectiveness of police reforms initiated after the tragic murder of George Floyd. This research aims to measure the success of these reforms through a mixed-methods approach that incorporates data collection from police departments, community surveys, and existing crime statistics, along with statistical and qualitative analyses. By establishing a framework for ongoing measurement and reporting, the project seeks to enhance accountability in policing practices, foster greater trust between law enforcement and communities, and provide evidence-based recommendations for future reform efforts.

The "Reimagining Public Safety" project is a two-year initiative that aims to redefine public safety from the perspective of Black communities in Chicago. The project, led by the Center for Justice Research in partnership with the Black Public Defender Association and various grassroots organizations, will utilize community-based participatory research methods to understand the needs and perceptions of Black residents. By gathering data and insights from community members, the project seeks to create a framework for public defenders to better engage with local communities, elevate the voices of Black defenders and communities in national discussions on public safety, and provide actionable data on safety concerns. The project will produce a comprehensive report outlining community needs, policy recommendations aimed at reforming public safety practices, and strengthened relationships between public defenders and the communities they serve.

Join us as we delve into the newly launched 12-month Researcher Development Program by the Center for Justice Research Development and Training Institute (DTI) in collaboration with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. This episode explores how the program is equipping tenure-track faculty with culturally responsive research methods to address key social issues. This program emphasizes the importance of integrating community perspectives into academic research, fostering an environment where faculty can conduct impactful research that addresses systemic issues within their communities and contributes to a more equitable criminal justice system. The program will be structured around four domains: Knowledge and Intellectual Abilities, Personal Effectiveness, Research Governance and Organization, and Engagement, Influence, and Impact, with fellows completing their projects over 60-120 hours per year. The DTI aims to enhance the availability of culturally relevant researcher development opportunities by offering training in fundamental research principles and strategies, ultimately reducing mass incarceration through targeted, culturally responsive solutions.

Explore the efforts of four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as they delve into the root causes of gun violence in urban Black communities. This investigative podcast focuses on their research conducted through interviews with young Black men, shedding light on critical societal issues. The project seeks to gather their perspectives on gun possession and violence, examine the influence of systemic factors, and develop evidence-based recommendations for policymakers. It utilizes qualitative data collection and analysis methods to understand the lived experiences of young Black men and inform effective interventions to reduce gun violence.