The New Jersey Department of Correction's Research and Evaluation Unit is currently working
on/completed the following empirical research projects.

Current Research/Publications

• Ackerman, A., Harris, A., Levenson, J. & Zgoba, K. (2011).  “Who are the people in your neighborhood?  A descriptive analysis of individuals on public sex offender registries.” International Journal of Law & Psychiatry, 34(3), 149-159.
• Maschi, T., Morgen, K., Ristow, J. & Zgoba, K. “Age, cumulative trauma, and post traumatic stress symptoms among older adults in prison: The role of subjective experience.” The Gerontologist (forthcoming)
• Neuilly, M., Zgoba, K., Tita, G. & Lee, S. (2011). “Predicting recidivism in homicide offenders using classification tree analysis.” Homicide Studies, 15(2), 154-176.
• Pizarro, J., Zgoba, K. & Jennings, W. “Assessing the interaction of offender and victim lifestyle characteristics for differentiating homicide incidents: Results from a hierarchical agglomerative cluster analysis approach.” The Journal of Criminal Justice (forthcoming)
• Tewksbury, R., Jennings, W. & Zgoba, K. “A longitudinal investigation of the effectiveness of SORN on recidivism: The New Jersey experience.” Behavioral Science & the Law (forthcoming)
• Zgoba, K. (2011). “Residence restriction zones and the banishment of sex offenders: Have we gone one step too far?” Criminology & Public Policy, 10(2), 391-400.
• Zgoba, K. & Levenson, J. "Failure to register as a predictor of sex offense recidivism: The big bad wolf or a red herring?" Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment (forthcoming)
  

Current Research

Administrative Segregation Project
The use of administrative segregation, or supermax imprisonment, has increased in popularity over the past 20 years.  Despite this increase, very little is known about these inmates and the units.  The purpose of this study is to increase the current knowledge base on this topic.  This study seeks to answer three broad research questions:

1. What are the characteristics of ad seg units
2. What are the characteristics of inmates placed in the units
3. What type of effect does placement in these units have on inmate behavior?

The John A. Hartford Foundation
Exploring the Relationship between Trauma, Coping Resources and Physical and Mental Well-being among Older Adults in Prison-
The specific aims of this study are to describe the types and frequencies of reported lifetime traumatic experiences of an older sample of prison inmates.  This study also seeks to examine the relationships of coping resources to trauma, stressors and well-being and to explore a possible moderating or mediating effect.

Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) – This study will examine the accuracy of sex offender classifications and sex offender categories.  The department is working in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Medical School, Medical University of South Carolina, Lynn and Brandeis Universities. This study is grant funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).

Serial Burglary - The Differential Impacts of Neighborhood Effects on Burglary Rates and Levels of Recidivism  The goal of this research is to identify the influence of individual-level characteristics and neighborhood context on burglary recidivism rates in three geographically proximate New Jersey counties. The research sample includes offenders released from Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties between 2000 and 2009. In addition to standard individual-specific variables (e.g. age, race, criminal history), contextual variables such as neighborhood poverty levels, median family income, and percent of owner-occupied households will be measured to identify net influences on burglary offenses. Furthermore, neighborhood structural variables including distance from burgled homes to major thoroughfares and commercially-zoned areas will be measured for their influence on neighborhood burglary rates. The effect of spatial dependence will also be measured and included in a model of recidivism. Recidivism will be measured using a one-year follow-up of offender arrests post-release. Results will be used to identify those offenders who are at an increased risk of reoffending, and who may require additional services and more intense supervision levels upon release.

The Research and Evaluation Unit, along with various members of the Departmental Research Review Board (DRRB), also evaluates external research proposals for potential approval.

NJ Department of Corrections Departmental Research Review Board (DRRB) Application (980-I form)

NJ DOC DRRB Researcher Checklist

Furthermore, the “Internship in Criminal Justice and Corrections Research,” which is coordinated and maintained by the Supervisor of the Research and Evaluation Unit in conjunction with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, www.rutgers.edu, has provided internship opportunities to Rutgers University Honor Students since 2004.

Listed below are some recent papers associated with the Research and Evaluation Unit.

Haugebrook, S., Zgoba, K. M., Maschi, T., Morgen, K. & Brown, D. (2010). Trauma, Stress, Health and Mental Health Issues among Ethnically Diverse Older Adult Prisoners. Journal of Correctional Healthcare, 16(3), 220-229.

Levenson, J., Letourneau, K., Armstrong, K., & Zgoba, K. (2010). “Failure to Register as a Sex Offender: Is it Associated with Recidivism?” Justice Quarterly, 27(3), 305-331.

Zgoba, K., Veysey, B., & Dalessandro, M. (2010). “Do the Best Intentions Predict Best Practices: An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Megan’s Law.” Justice Quarterly,   27(5), 667-691.

Zgoba, K., Levenson, J. & McKee, T. (2009). “Examining the Impact of Sex Offender Residence Restrictions on Housing Availability.” Criminal Justice Policy Review, 20(1), 91-110.

Veysey, B., M., Zgoba, K., & Dalessandro, M. (2008). “A Preliminary Step towards Evaluating the Impact of Megan’s Law: A Trend Analysis of Sexual Offenses in New Jersey from 1985 to   2005.” Justice, Research & Policy, 10(2), 1-18.

Zgoba, K. (2008). “Evaluating the Impact of Megan’s Law.” Justice, Research & Policy Digest, 1-2.

Zgoba, K., Haugebrook, S. & Jenkins, K. (2008). “The Influence of GED Obtainment on Inmate Release Outcome.” Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal, 35(3), 375-387.

Zgoba, K., & Levenson, J. (2008). “Variations in the Recidivism of Treated and Non-Treated Sexual Offenders in New Jersey: An Examination of Three Time Frames.” Victims & Offenders, 3(1), 10-30.

Zgoba, K., Witt, P., Dalessandro, M. & Veysey, B. (2008). ”Megan’s Law: Assessing the Practical and Monetary Efficacy.” Final Report to the National Institute of Justice, Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice.

 

Listed below are archived research publications associated with the Research & Evaluation Unit.

Haugebrook, S. & Zgoba, K. (2007). Prison Group Counseling. In Albert Roberts (Ed.), Correctional Counseling and Treatment (pp.149-167). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Levenson, J., Zgoba, K. & Tewksbury, R. (2007). “Sex Offender Residence Restrictions: Sensible Crime Policy or Flawed Logic?” Federal Probation, 71(3), 2-9.

Roberts, A. & Zgoba, K. (2007). “The Offending Histories and Patterns of 350 Male and Female Inmates.” Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal, 12, 493-507.

Roberts, A., Zgoba, K., & Shahidullah, S.M. (2007). “Recidivism among four types of homicide offenders: An Exploratory Analysis of 336 Homicide Offenders in New Jersey.” Aggression & Violent Behavior, 12, 493-507.

Neuilly, M. & Zgoba, K. (2006). “Assessing the Possibility of a Pedophilia Panic and Contagion Effect between France and the United States.” Victims & Offenders, 1(3), 1-29.

Simon, L. & Zgoba, K. (2006). Prevention of Sex Crimes against Children: Legislation, Prevention and Investigation. In Richard Wortley & Stephen Smallbone (Eds.), Crime Prevention Studies, 19, (pp.65-100).

Simon, L.M.J. & Zgoba, K. (December/January 2006). "Therapeutic Jurisprudence and Sex Offender Policies: Part II.” Sex Offender Law Report, 7(1), 1-16.

Zgoba, K. (2006). Ending Intimate Abuse: Practical Guidance and Survival Strategies. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Simon, L.M.J. & Zgoba, K. (October/November 2005). “Therapeutic Jurisprudence and Sex Offender Policies: Part I.” Sex Offender Law Report, 81-96.

Witt, P. & Zgoba, K. (April/May 2005). “Psychological Treatment of Sex Offenders: Current Status.” Sex Offender Law Report, 6(3).

Zgoba, K. & Simon, L. (2005). “Recidivism Rates of Sex Offenders up to Seven Years Later: Does Treatment Matter?” Criminal Justice Review, 30(2), 155-173.

Zgoba, K.M. (2004). “The Amber Alert: The Appropriate Solution to Preventing Child Abduction?” The Journal of Psychiatry & Law, 32(1), 71-88.

Zgoba, K.M. (2004). “Megan’s Law and its Effect on Incarcerated and Released Sex Offenders.” Encyclopedia of US Prisons and Correctional Facilities, Thousand Oaks, Ca: Sage Publications.

Zgoba, K.M. (2004). “Spin Doctors and Moral Crusaders: The Moral Panic behind Child Safety Legislation.” Criminal Justice Studies: A Critical Journal of Crime, Law & Society, 17(4), 385-404.

Zgoba, K. (2004). Crime Control and Women, Feminist Implications of Criminal Justice Policy [Review of the book] Susan L. Miller (Ed.), Journal of Psychiatry & Law, Federal Legal Publications.

Zgoba, K., Sager, W. & Witt, P. (2003). “Evaluation of New Jersey’s Sex Offender Treatment Program at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center: Preliminary Results.” The Journal of Psychiatry & Law, 31, 133-164.

Zgoba, K., & Wolff, N. (2003). “Comparative Analysis of Sexual Offender Treatment and Legislation.” Final Report for the New Jersey Department of Corrections: Trenton, NJ.

Potchak, M.C., McGloin, J.M., & Zgoba, K.M. (2002). “A Spatial Analysis of Criminal Effort: Auto Theft in Newark, New   Jersey.” Criminal Justice Policy Review, 13(3), 257-285.

Zgoba, K. (2002). “Bullying and DARE Projects in Linwood Middle School, North Brunswick, New Jersey.” Final Report for C.O.P.S. Department; Washington, D.C.