Research and Publications

Research	Reports	Research and Policy Briefs	Academic Publications

Research

Current Projects

2025 Nebraska Department of Transportation Traffic Stop Study
2024 Adult Treatment Court Training Initiative
2024 Veteran Treatment Court Training and Technical Assistance
2024-25 Lancaster Jail Forecasting
2022-26 Nebraska Correctional Program Evaluation (funded by NDCS)
2022-24 Washington ONE
2023-25 Vocational & Life Skills Evaluation (funded by NDCS)
2021-23 Nebraska STRONG-R 2.0 (funded by NCDS)
2020-23 Douglas County Department of Corrections Assessment (funded by Douglas County, Nebraska)
2019-24 Reducing Violence and Recidivism through VRP Aftercare and CBI Open Groups (funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance)

Completed Projects

Achieving Change Together Evaluation. Evaluation of a Bureau of Justice Assistance Second Chance Act, Community-Based Adult Reentry Program (funded by the Safer Foundation) 2020-23
Alternatives to Detention Evaluation
Assessment of Young Adults in Nebraska's Correctional System
Blue Courage® Police Training Assessment
Borders Up in Smoke: Marijuana Enforcement in Nebraska after Colorado's Legalization
Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Evaluation
Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Strategic Plan
Classification Process and Flow Evaluation 2021-2023
Completely KIDS: Liberty School Project Evaluation
Connected Youth Initiative Evaluation
Crossover Youth Practice Model Evaluation
Defy Ventures Evaluation
Douglas County Juvenile Assessment Center Evaluation (Juvenile Diversion)
Douglas County Juvenile Justice Collective Impact Initiative Evaluation
Douglas County Juvenile Justice Prevention Assessment
Examining the Effects of Nebraska's "Good Time" Laws
Expanding the Knowledge Base about Child Advocacy Centers
Minority Health Initiative Evaluation: Colfax and Platte Counties
Nebraska Sex Offender Registry Evaluation
Operation Youth Success Evaluation
Project Safe Neighborhoods: BJA Gun Violence Reduction Program 2016-18 Grant
Project Safe Neighborhoods: BJA Gun Violence Reduction Program 2015-17 Grant
Project Safe Neighborhoods: BJA Gun Violence Reduction Program 2014-16 Grant
Project Safe Neighborhoods: BJA Gun Violence Reduction Program 2013-15 Grant
Project Safe Neighborhoods: BJA Gun Violence Reduction Program 2012-14 Grant
Remote Recovery: Video conference technology for substance use treatment in rural Nebraska
Strength-based Assessment of the Nebraska Coalition of Juvenile Justice
Technical Assistance Provision for Corrections
Transformation Project: Correctional Transition Program
Traumatic Brain Injury Screening: youth referred to the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Protection Order Project
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Strategic Plan
Vocational & Life Skills Evaluation
Youth Impact! Cost/Benefit Analysis Update

Reports

Anger Management Program at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services
2023 Annual Report
Evaluation Report: Violence Reduction Program at Nebraska Department of Correctional Services
Employer Perspectives in Hiring and Working with Justive-Involved Individuals
Personal Recognizance Interview & Needs Screen (PRINS) Evaluation and Revalidation
Best Practices for Neglected Assumptions: Multi-Site Confirmation of the MPACT-6
Victimization Prior to Jail Report
Evidence-Based Inventory of Criminal Justice Programs in Nebraska
2022 Annual Report
Ready & Resilient: Qualitative Findings from Life Story Interviews with VLS Participants
Technical Assistance Provisions for Corrections
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in the Criminal Justice System In Nebraska
The Nebraska Screening and Assessment Tool, The N-SAT
2020 Annual Report
Douglas County Youth Impact! Cost/Benefit Analysis. 2019.
2019 NCJR Annual Report
Assessing the Effectiveness of ShotSpotter in 51��: Addendum to the Project Safe Neighborhoods 2016 Final Evaluation Report. 2019
Adult Justice in Nebraska 2018
2018 NCJR Annual Report
CYPM Evaluation Executive Summary Report 2017. 2018
VLS Client Perceptions of Program Services and Ability to Reintegrate: A Qualitative Analysis. 2018
Evaluation of Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) Program at the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services. 2018
Defy Ventures Evaluation Plan Report. 2018
Alternatives to Detention Final Report. 2018
Adult Justice Report. 2017
Defy Ventures Situational Analysis Report. 2017
Defy Ventures Program Theory Report. 2017
Marijuana Enforcement in Nebraska 2013-15. 2017
2017 NCJR Annual Report
Transformation Project Program Update. 2015-16
Alternatives to Detention: Year One Report
Evaluation of the Crossover Youth Practice Model (Youth Impact!) Final Report
Validation of the Proxy Triage Risk Screener for Douglas County Detention Center. 2017
Project Safe Neighborhoods: 2014 Final Evaluation Report. 2017
Transformation Project: NCYF Readiness Assessment Results. 2016
Transformation Project: NCCW Readiness Assessment Results. 2016
Adult Justice in Nebraska. 2016
JAG Strategic Plan. 2016-2018
NCJR Annual Report. 2016
Development and Validation of the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services Prison Classification System. 2016
Operation Youth Success (Douglas County Collective Impact) Developmental Evaluation Report. 2016
EPIC Alternative Education Program: Formative Evaluation Report. 2016
Douglas County Youth Impact Challenges Evaluation Report. 2016
Douglas County Youth Impact Successes Evaluation Report. 2016
Alternatives to Detention Theory of Change Report. 2016
Completely KIDS Final Report (2014-2015). 2016
Marijuana Enforcement in Nebraska (2009-2014). 2016
Adult Justice in Nebraska. 2015
Nebraska Center for Justice Research: 2015 Annual Report
2013-2015 Nebraska Minority Health Initiative Final Evaluation Report for the East-Central District Health Department. 2015
The Impact of After-School and Family Strengthening Programs on Student Outcomes: The Completely KIDS Liberty Project. 2015
Nebraska Coalition of Juvenile Justice Strength-Based Assessment. 2015
Colorado’s legalization of medicinal marijuana: The effects on Nebraska’s law enforcement and local jail system. 2015
Evidence Based Practice in Juvenile Justice. 2014
Examining the Effects of Nebraska's Good Time Laws - Final Report. 2014
Examining the Effects of Nebraska's Good Time Laws - Research Brief. 2014
Transformation Project Annual Report. 2014
Trends in Adult Justice. 2014
Project Safe Neighborhoods Final Evaluation Report. 2013
Trends in Young Adult Male Incarceration Admissions in Nebraska. 2000-2013
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program: Evaluation Report. 2013. For the Nebraska Crime Commission.
Nebraska Sex Offender Registry Study: Final Report. 2013. For the Judiciary Committee of the Nebraska Legislature.
Nebraska Sex Offender Registry Study: Interim Report. 2012. For the Judiciary Committee of the Nebraska Legislature.
Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Grant, Nebraska Strategic Plan, 2012-2015. For the Nebraska Crime Commission.

Research and Policy Briefs

Academic Publications

Hamilton, Zachary, Kigerl, Alex, Allen, Baylee, Ursino, John, and Krushas, Amber. 2024. "Never Going to Let You Down: Preventing Predictive Shrinkage via the STRONG-R Assessment Method." Justice Quarterly. (Online first)

Kowalski, Melissa, Michael Campagna, Emily M. Wright Steiner, and Ryan Spohn. 2024. “” Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 39: 1132-1160.

Kowalski, Melissa, Michael Campagna, Emily M. Wright, and Ryan Spohn. 2023. “” American Journal of Criminal Justice 48: 1320-1342.

Kowalski, Melissa, Zachary Hamilton, Alex Kigerl, Michael Baglivio, and Kevin Wolff. 2023. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 21(3), 248-274.

Krushas, Amber E.*, Teresa C. Kulig, Emily M. Wright, Ryan E. Spohn, and Lynn M. Castrianno. 2023. “” Child & Youth Services 44: 275-299.

Towne, Katelynn, Michael Campagna, Ryan Spohn, and Amber Richey. 2023. Crime & Delinquency, 69: 316-341.

Butler, H. Daniel., Michael Campagna, Ryan Spohn, and Katelynn Towne. 2022. “” Journal of Offender Rehabilitation 61: 357-374.

Allen, Baylee, Addison Kobie, and Zachary Hamilton. 2022. The Journal of the American Probation and Parole Association, 46:2, 18-26.

Kigerl, Alex, Zachary Hamilton, Melissa Kowalski and Xiaohan Mei. 2022. Journal of Criminal Justice, forthcoming.

Romain, Danielle and Amber Krushas. 2022. Race and Justice, 12:2, 231-251.

Towne, Katelynn. 2022. Sociological Spectrum, 42:1, 61-74.

Church, Abere Sawaqdeh, David Marcus, and Zachary Hamilton. 2021. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 48:9, 1243-1260.

Hamilton, Zachary, Grant Duwe, Alex Kigerl, Jason Gwinn, Neal Langan, and Christopher Dollar. 2021. Justice Quarterly, forthcoming.

Hamilton, Zachary, Melissa Kowalski, and Alex Kigerl. 2021. Justice Quarterly, 39:4, 722-744.

Hsieh, Ming-Li, Kuan-Ju Chen, Pak-Sing Choi, and Zachary Hamilton. 2021. Criminal Justice & Behavior, 49:6, 911-929.

Mei, Xiaohan, Zachary Hamilton, Melissa Kowalski and Alex Kigerl. 2021. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 19:4, 445-470.

Schwartz, Joseph, Emily Wright, Ryan Spohn, Michael Campagna, Benjamin Steiner, and Ebonie Epinger. 2021. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, forthcoming.

Hamilton, Zachary, Melissa Kowalski, Douglas Routh, and Alex Kigerl. 2020. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 46:8, 1106-1127.

Hermsen, Joan, Eileen Avery, and Katelynn Towne. 2020. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 30:6, 581-592.

Campagna, Michael F., Ming-Li Hsieh, and Christopher M. Campbell. 2019. Corrections: Policy Practice and Research, published online November.

Chenane, Joselyne L., Emily M. Wright, and Chris L. Gibson. 2019. Policing and Society, published online March.

Steiner, Benjamin, Emily M. Wright, and Sara Toto. 2019. Justice Quarterly, published online April.

Campagna, Michael F., Melissa A. Kowalski, Laurie A. Drapela, Mary K. Stohr, Elizabeth Thompson Tollefsbol, Youngki Woo, Xiaohan Mei, and Zachary K. Hamilton. 2019. The Prison Journal 99:639-661.

Batton, Candice, and Emily M. Wright. 2019. Feminist Criminology 14:287-306.

Richards, Tara N., Marie Skubak Tillyer, and Emily M. Wright. 2019. Crime & Delinquency 65:474-498.

Schwartz, Joseph A., Emily M. Wright, and Bradon A. Valgardson. 2019. Child abuse & neglect 88:420-431.

Zavala, Egbert, Ryan E. Spohn, and Leanne F. Alarid. Sociological Spectrum 39:53-69.

Butler, H. Daniel, Starr Solomon, and Ryan Spohn. Criminal Justice and Behavior 45:1174-1191.

Chenane, Joselyne L., and Emily M. Wright. 2018. Race and Justice, doi:2153368718777278.

Ellison, Jared M., Benjamin Steiner, and Emily M. Wright. 2018. Criminal Justice and Behavior 45:1723-1741.

Ellison, Jared M. and Ryan E. Spohn. 2017. " Criminal Justice Policy Review. 28:847-865.

Spohn, Ryan, Abby L. Bjornsen, and Emily M. Wright. 2017. Journal of Aggression, Conflict, and Peace Research. 9:279-289.

Steiner, Benjamin and Calli M. Cain (2017). Law and Society Review, 51: 70-98.

Wright, Emily M., Ryan E. Spohn, Joselyne Chenane, and Nick Juliano. 2017. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 15:481-491.

Radatz, Dana L., and Emily M. Wright. 2016. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 17: 72-87.

Spohn, Ryan, Emily M. Wright, and Johanna Peterson. 2017. Violence Against Women, 23:1055-1075.

Wright, Emily M., Gillian M. Pinchevsky, Michael L. Benson, and Dana L. Radatz. 2015. "." American Journal of Community Psychology, 56: 342-356.

Spohn, Ryan E. and Spencer D. Wood. 2014. "Spare the Rod, Endanger the Child? Strain, Race/Ethnicity, and Serious Delinquency." Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice. 12:159-193.

Zavala, Egbert and Ryan E. Spohn. 2013. "" American Journal of Criminal Justice. 38:119-140.

Spohn, Ryan E. 2012. "" Western Criminology Review. 13:16-36.

Spohn, Ryan E. and Don Kurtz. 2011 "" Criminal Justice Review. 36:332-356.

Zavala, Egbert and Ryan E. Spohn. 2010. "." Sociological Spectrum. 30: 526-549.

Griffiths, Elizabeth, Robert D. Baller, Ryan E. Spohn, and Rosemary Gartner. 2008. "" Victims and Offenders. 3:228-244.

Kurtz, Don, Travis Linnemann, and Ryan E. Spohn. 2008. "" Southwest Journal of Criminal Justice. 5:140-157.

Fitzgerald, Scott F. and Ryan E. Spohn. 2005. "" Social Forces. 84:1015-1048. (Equal contribution)

Spohn, Ryan E. 2000. "Gender Differences in the Effects of Child Maltreatment on Criminal Activity over the Life Course." Pp. 207-231 in Families, Crime and Criminal Justice, Vol. 2, edited by G. L. Fox and M. L. Benson. New York: Elsevier Science.

Spohn, Ryan E. and Howard B. Kaplan. 2000. "Adolescent Substance Use and Adult Health Status: A Critical Analysis of a Problematic Relationship." Pp. 45-65 in Advances in Medical Sociology, Vol.7, edited by J. A. Levy, D. Stephens and D. McBride. Stamford, CT: JAI Press.

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