CHSS Undergraduate Showcase — Criminal Justice Studies Participants

Examining Counter-Colonial Criminology's Impact on the Israel-Hamas War: An analysis of the legal framework of international humanitarian law.

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Albert de la Tierra
Entry #20

In my research paper, I have used historical inferences together with counter-colonial concepts to explain the current Hamas-Israel War and identify violations of international humanitarian and war law. I think this is important because it is one of the most well-documented wars of recent times, and it causes a lot of polarization in the political and public debate. I have looked into four case studies: hostage-taking and sexual violence by Hamas, the attacks on hospitals, and the possibility of genocide by Israel. I have used data from the United Nations, The NYT, Washington Post, Reuters, Al Jazeera, and the Israeli Times, as well as from international humanitarian institutions, to make my argument that in all instances, despite nuances and interpretations, humanitarian and war law is violated. I also looked into the role of the media in the public debate, and especially the role of the United States as Israel's most important ally. The role of the US is a double one, on one hand, it is repeatedly calling for more humanitarian aid into the Gaza strip, but it is also providing billions worth of weapons to Israel, and it is not vetoing the UN resolution on a ceasefire.

Women's Facilities: Addressing the Unsanitary Conditions

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Che Rodriguez
Entry #7

This study explores into the unsanitary conditions and abuse of women in U.S. prisons, exposing the interconnected concerns of overcrowding, sexual assault, mental health difficulties, and insufficient healthcare.

The study examines the historical change in prison systems from rehabilitation to punishment, which has resulted in the appalling status of women's prisons. Sexual violence, strip searches, and a lack of competent healthcare all add to detained women's despair. As a result, I was able to use peer reviewed articles and material from my previous CJ courses, such as James Kilgore educational book Understanding Mass Incarceration, in order to comprise a research study which recommends legislative framework change, citing foreign examples such as the Bangkok Rules and Norway's rehabilitative approach. It underlines California's Public Safety Realignment Act's achievements in decreasing overcrowding and improving living conditions.

The research suggests comprehensive staff support systems and the reinforcement of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) as a shift from a punitive to a procedural justice approach. The #MeToo movement is widely seen as a change agent, elevating voices and fighting for better living circumstances, healthcare, and social transformation. Finally, the research emphasizes the importance of structural reforms by drawing on successful foreign practices and underlining the larger implications of humane treatment for the well-being of imprisoned women and society as a whole.

How Political Interest Overruled the Common Good; Women's Rights and the Abortion Argument

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Albert De la Tierra
Entry #4

“How Political Interest Has Overruled the Common Good” is a creative work essay that focuses on topics such as women's rights and the abortion argument. My essay addresses women and speaks on how they suffer the consequences of the personal agendas of politicians in power. They are oppressed through their gender identity, their livelihood, and their healthcare — specifically reproductive choice. The paper challenges the current United States legislature that views restrictive reproductive rights as what is best for the citizens. Covering macro, meso, and micro experiences, the paper aims to inform and persuade audiences to reevaluate their understanding and stance on restrictive reproductive rights. It is an original essay written for CJ452, Criminological Theory, as well as the Annual Review of Criminal Justice Studies. The paper includes citations and analysis from the original 1972 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade reports, research center findings, and news outlets.

How ARCJS Overcomes Barriers for Undergraduate Research at a Teaching-Focused University: Student Leadership, Faculty Collaboration, Transformative Culture

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Albert de la Tierra
Entry #16

The Annual Review of Criminal Justice Studies (ARCJS) is a student-run journal housed at San Francisco State University. In its first volume, the editorial team and faculty mentor navigated the barriers of creating a journal from the ground up. With only an end goal in mind, we worked together on a plan for recruiting authors, formatting, publishing, and printing. For the second volume, ARCJS became a bi-coastal collaboration. Together, we built the journal to have a more rigorous structure while prioritizing a supportive review process to ensure author's success.

As publication of our second volume nears, my time as editor-in-chief is coming to an end. Stepping back, I see that as part of the inaugural editorial board and editor-in-chief, I helped create a culture of research and collaboration in a commuter school where developing meaningful connections can be challenging. Through collaboration, we were not solo authors competing for publication but part of a community of students from various backgrounds, departments, and coasts. ARCJS has given 35 authors space to be knowledge producers despite belonging to a teaching-focused university. Authors and editors were introduced to the academic publishing process. Students gained a way to meet with professors: While still learning from them, editors were given control of ARCJS and worked alongside professors as colleagues. Authors took control of writing prompts while professors took an advisory role. As the outgoing editor-in-chief, I recognize how ARCJS is a unique project that results in students’ growth as writers, researchers, professional collaborators, and student leaders.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Albert de la Tierra
Entry #28

My work showcases the results that an adverse child had experience can create and an environment where mental health professionals can help.

Police Use of Force and the Racial Disparities in Policing

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Albert de la Tierra, Jeffery Snipes
Entry #26

The purpose of my research is to understand police use of force tactics to uncover racial disparities in the system of policing and identify possible solutions to reforming the system which ensures protection and improves police-civilian relationships. Excessive use of police force is a serious issue that has captured the headlines of the media we consume, and race is often addressed in police encounters. However, in policing racial disparities and the use of force police use on specific minority racial groups can create an elevated lifetime risk for these individuals. Thus, the explored question: How does police use of force connect to racial disparities in policing in police stops of individuals, lethal and less-lethal police tactics, and the racial differential treatment of African Americans and Latinos? The history of policing, police misconduct behavior through racial bias stops, the impact of police force tactics (CEDs, Batons, Sprays), and the police and public perception of racial discriminatory treatment are reviewed to gain clarity. An analysis of intervention strategies through implicit bias training for officers, de-escalation training, procedural justice training to build police-civilian transparency, and a change from policing’s command and control model to community policing are assessed. Altogether, this paper aims to discuss the connection between police use of force and racial disparities in policing to recognize problems, provide possible solutions to reform the system, to eliminate racial injustice, and foster the maintenance of police duty in equitable protection and safety for all communities.

A Conversation: The Positive Correlation Between Crime Rate and Poverty Rate

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Albert de la Tierra
Entry #16

My research focuses on the topic that there is a positive correlation between the crime rate and the poverty rate in the United States. To further understand this topic I have defined and identified the three different levels of analysis that are used in criminology. are presented to criminologists when asserting answers to different questions. In addition to illustrating the three different criminal ideologies and their respective theories known as liberal, conservative, and critical. To further understand and engage with my research topic, I interviewed two colleagues of mine to not only question their understanding of the topic but in attempt to identifying their ideology and level of analysis throughout our discussion. To further support my topic, I interview my colleagues once more after a year to observe if there have been any changes to their thinking and possibly their ideology from the previous interview. Thank you for your time and interest.

Nuclear weapons, peace, and stability

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Carina Gallo
Entry #12

Aims/purpose: The aim of this study is to describe if nuclear weapons can create peace and stability. In that case, how?

Methods: Literature review

Results: With this research, I will explore the controversial standpoint that nuclear weapons can create peace and international stability, and in that case how? In the case of North Korea or Pakistan, did nuclear weapons create stability as no one is brave enough to start a war with some country possessing nuclear weapons? The war in Ukraine may also have turned out differently if they would have had nuclear weapons.  

Conclusion: After these examples, in my project, I will highlight how nuclear weapons affect peace and stability. 

Mass Incarceration: Supporting the U.S Imperial Regime

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Dr. Albert de la Tierra
Entry #33

In providing an overview into Mass Incarceration, the Prison Industrial Complex, and the Military Complex; the aim of this research will be to demonstrate how the U.S is engaging in a domestic military operation from their exploitation of the U.S prison population through prison wage labor, where conveniently, is protected under the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution. By virtue of the U.S. military's inherent mechanism to “conquer” via the U.S military or law enforcement for example, the United States, historically, has become an imperialistic nation from the earliest ventures of the Revolutionary War to the occupation of resource-rich continents such as Africa. As such, the discriminatory and prejudicial policies enforced by law enforcement have targeted minority populations which have resulted in a repeating cycle of incarceration.

Political Warfare Social Media Final Podcast

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Carina Gallo
Entry #21

This research presentation analyzes the ways in which social media is being used as political warfare against America, with a focus on examples from TikTok, Facebook, and other media outlets. The podcast finds that social media platforms have become powerful tools for political warfare, enabling the spread of propaganda, disinformation, and conspiracy theories. The podcast also discusses the potential for data collection practices on TikTok to be used for blackmail and repression by the Chinese Communist Party. The case study from China shows how social media platforms such as TikTok are being used to manipulate public opinion in favor of the Chinese government. The podcast concludes that there is a significant threat to democracy, and it is crucial to be aware of the ways in which social media can be used as a tool for political warfare and take steps to combat this threat.

How the Plea Bargain Affects Our Criminal Justice System

Faculty advisor/course instructor: Albert de la Tierra
Entry #36

The Criminal Justice System has oppressed Latinos and Blacks for many years. They constantly experience over-policing, racial profiling, poverty, and a lack of resources. There are many processes inside the criminal justice system that contribute to the harming of minorities such as the plea bargain. The plea bargain process occurs between the defendant and the prosecutor. They discuss the terms of a final plea agreement that they believe is fair. However, it sometimes fails to provide justice for incarcerated individuals due to their background, leading to mass incarceration. Many are falsely accused and are forced to take plea deals by prosecutors. The majority of the time the defendant believes they will receive a lenient sentence if they take the plea deal. My research highlights the process of a plea deal, explains amendments violations, and connects economic and political disparities. Learning individuals' stories and removing the plea bargain process will reform the criminal justice system.