See below where Prof. Jessica Mueller-Coyne answers our questions about her chapter in
Global Perspectives on Reforming the Criminal Justice System (ISBN:9781799868842). Her chapter, “The Five Rs of Prison Reform With Ethnoracially Diverse Offenders: A Clinical Forensic Psychological Perspective”, examines successful reentry into society for individuals released from prison is hindered by various barriers. These include challenges related to reconnecting with family members, undergoing rehabilitation, finding employment, and securing housing. Moreover, the financial burdens associated with high incarceration rates, lengthy prison stays, racial disparities, and the mental health status of offenders contribute to a heightened risk of difficulties during the post-release adjustment process. To address these challenges, the Pentagonal Post-Release Risk Assessment Framework, also known as the 5 Rs, is introduced in this chapter. The 5 Rs encompass the assessment of risks related to recidivism, reunification, rehabilitation, reintegration, and racism. It is crucial to consider all five aspects when reintegrating individuals into the community, as neglecting any of them can perpetuate a cycle of reoffending.
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Contributing Author Question & Answer
How does your professional background support your ability to be an authority on this chapter's coverage?
Prof. Mueller-Coyne: I’ve been working in correctional settings since 2015 in the US and New Zealand and have worked with men and women from diverse ethnic backgrounds. In this time, I have seen many of the same people come in and out of prison who have not been adequately prepared for release by the system. Currently, I work as a senior clinical psychologist with remanded and sentenced prisoners and a large part of my role is to support them with release.
What specific problems does your chapter address?
Prof. Mueller-Coyne: Our chapter addresses fundamental issues ethnoracially offenders face upon release from prison or jail. We lay out the research associated with these issues.
How does the chapter provide a solution to these problems?
Prof. Mueller-Coyne: We highlighted five key areas to consider for offenders upon release. Having an understanding of an individual’s history of recidivism, rehabilitation, reunification, reintegration, and racism and working to address these factors to improve their experience on release.
What was the driving force or motivation for starting your chapter?
Prof. Mueller-Coyne: A number of considerations are made for release of offenders. For us, there are five vital factors that should be captured: recidivism, rehabilitation, reunification, reintegration, and racism. Our chapter discusses why these are important to consider particularly for racially diverse offenders as they experience significantly more barriers to successful reintegration compared to their white counterparts. We felt that it was important to synthesize this information to create a Pentagonal Post-Release Risk Assessment Framework.
What special organizations or other professional affiliations give you the experience and the areas that are covered by the chapter?
Prof. Mueller-Coyne: Since 2015, I have worked in various capacities within correctional settings, starting as a volunteer facilitating substance abuse groups in a women's jail. I completed my doctoral internship at a women's prison, focusing on women with complex mental health needs and high-risk behavior. I also gained experience working with men on a reentry yard and individuals convicted of sexual offenses. Since 2018, I have been working with remand and sentenced women in Auckland, New Zealand. In addition, I hold memberships in prominent professional organizations such as the International Corrections & Prisons Association (ICPA), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services (IAFMHS). As a licensed clinical psychologist in California and a registered clinical psychologist in New Zealand, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the topics addressed in this book.
Have you been recognized for academic excellence or other related achievements in this field of study?
Prof. Mueller-Coyne: In 2017, I was honored with the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award. Building on that success, in 2022, one of my students excelled and received the Undergraduate Research Excellence Award for her poster at San Diego State University's Student Research Symposium. Continuing the momentum, in 2023, I was humbled to receive the Kaitaki (guardianship) award for my work at Auckland Women's Correctional Facility. These recognitions highlight the dedication and commitment I have towards my academic pursuits and making a positive impact in various settings.
About the Author
Jessica Mueller-Coyne Psy.D is an adjunct professor in the department of psychology at San Diego State University (SDSU) and a lecturer in SDSU’s Forensic Psychology Certificate program. She is also a licensed psychologist in California and a registered clinical psychologist in New Zealand. Dr. MuellerCoyne is currently a clinical psychologist at the New Zealand Department of Corrections.
About the Editor
Dr. Michael Pittaro is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice with American Military University and an adjunct professor with several colleges / universities. Before pursuing a career in higher education, Dr. Pittaro worked in corrections administration; served as the executive director of an outpatient drug and alcohol facility; and as executive director of a crime prevention agency. He has 32 years of experience and education in criminal justice and continues to serve internationally as a sought-out author, presenter, and subject matter expert.
Dr. Pittaro holds a PhD in criminal justice; an MPA in public administration, and a BS in criminal justice. Among his nearly 150 publications, including three book publications, he is the author of the 2021 book,
Pursuing and Navigating a Career in Criminal Justice and is currently writing, “An Introduction to Corrections.” His areas of expertise are in corrections, namely correctional leadership, and in providing education and awareness of suicide among criminal justice professionals. He is a QPR certified suicide prevention facilitator and has a master’s certification in emotional intelligence.
He resides in Lower Saucon Township, Pennsylvania with his wife and their 5 children.
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