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Research Division

The Institute seeks to advance evidence-based correctional programs, policies, and practices at the local, state, and federal level through an active research agenda. Through the Institute, correctional agencies are able to consult with faculty from Sam Houston State University to address their research and evaluation needs. Faculty expertise includes grant writing, program evaluation, statistical analysis, survey methodology, and knowledge of substantive areas of corrections. The majority of ongoing research evaluations are supported through external grants and contracts.

The Research Division of CMIT engages in program evaluation and related research in cooperation with local and state correctional agencies and organizations. The goals of the division are to:

  • Conduct research that advances evidence based practices in corrections and related areas;
  • Engage in program evaluation of existing programs at the local, regional and national level to inform policies and practices;
  • Disseminate research knowledge through professional publication, public presentations and information sharing networks to aid in development of effective policy;
  • Act as a liaison between CJ faculty, CJ graduate students, and the research units of CJ agencies in Texas;
  • Provide educational programs to the CJ student body on corrections issues by hosting guest speakers, organizing seminars with corrections officials, and arranging tours of correctional facilities.
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Affiliated Faculty and Recent Projects

Research Director, Erin Orrick, Ph.D.

  • Criminal Attitudes and Reentry: A Within-Individual Analysis of Recidivism Post-Release from Prison
  • Estimating the Influence of Self-Efficacy and Readiness to Change on Time to Re-Arrest
  • Re-assessing the Effects of Sentencing and Offense Type on Recidivism Using Survival Group Mixture Modeling
  • The Cost of Incarceration in Texas: Estimating the Benefits of Reducing the Prison Population
  • Assessing the Impact of Mexican Nativity on Sentence Length

Research Associate, Matthew Bills, Ph.D.

  • Impact and outcome evaluation of the National Jail Leadership Command Academy (NJLCA)
  • Revising offense severity classifications for the Texas Commission on Jail Standards
  • Survey of Texas mental health courts to ascertain budgetary information and operational characteristics
  • Process evaluation of the Galveston County Mental Health Court

CMIT Research in Action

The CMIT Research Division presents these briefs to provide facilitators, staff, administration, and others an overview of literature as well as provide helpful tools and information to assist those in the field.

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George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center
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| A Member of The Texas State University System