CURRENT PUBLICATIONS
PUBLISHED 5/2025
Enhancing Diversion Success Through Financial Capability and Asset Building: A Framework and Proposed Intervention
Mass incarceration policies in the United States have generated the highest incarceration rate in the world, yet many incarcerated individuals have committed nonviolent offenses or been confined because they could not pay fines or fees. Diversion offers an opportunity for justice-involved individuals to avoid conviction and collateral consequences while maximizing public safety, reducing case processing, decreasing overpopulation in prisons, and lowering costs. However, diversion programs do not adequately address financial instability and insecurity that often contribute to criminal behavior. This paper reviews evidence on adult diversion programs and proposes an intervention approach responding to socioeconomic factors contributing to criminal behavior.
Johnson, L., Sherraden, M. S., Pettus, C., Miller, J., & Huang, J. (2025)
PUBLISHED 9/2024
Examining Prosecution
On September 23 and 24, the National Academies convened a workshop to explore models of prosecutorial programs and practices, implications for public policy, and priorities for future research.
This new proceedings summarizes the workshop’s key themes, including pressing challenges and opportunities, and areas for further consideration and guidance.
National Academies | Proceedings of a Workshop
PUBLISHED 6/2024
Study Protocol for Transforming Health Equity Research in Integrated Primary Care: Antiracism as a Disruptive Innovation
The Transformative Health Justice Collaborative project is thrilled to announce that our article, “Study Protocol for Transforming Health Equity Research in Integrated Primary Care: Antiracism as a Disruptive Innovation” has been published online in the PLOS ONE Journal. This work is authored by Drs. Sylvie Naar, Carrie Pettus, The Late Norman Anderson, Meardith Pooler-Burgess, Penny Ralston, Heather Flynn, Doug Luke, Todd Combs, Claudia Baquet, and Christopher Schatschneider.
PLOS ONE Journal
PUBLISHED 12/2023
“I Feel like I Have ‘Prison’ Tattooed on my Forehead”: Women’s Trajectories after Release from Incarceration
Although reentry has been well explored, less is known about women’s reentry trajectories and whether reentry experiences change over time. The current study explored women’s experiences from prison release to 15-months post-release using interviews with 29 women across four states. Themes from early reentry (2 weeks–4 months) underscored women’s struggle for survival. Women were dependent on informal support, struggling to readjust to mothering, and experiencing stigma from potential employers. Themes from later reentry (8–15 months) mostly portrayed the complexities of social support as mothering remained challenging, family support became a double-edged sword, and formal support services were difficult to access.
Women & Criminal Justice, 22 DEC 2023
PUBLISHED 7/2023
PILOT AND FEASIBILITY STUDIES
Study protocol paper for the multi‑site feasibility evaluation of mobile and technology‑assisted aftercare services for crisis stabilization units
Pettus, C., Fulmer, R., Pederson, S., & Eikenberry, J.
This study offers decision making and procedural insight into law enforcement use of Crisis Stabilization Units (CSUs) as an alternative to jail. Data-based research provides outcome trends for those who go through standard CSU services compared to those who receive mobile and technology-assisted aftercare services. Understanding the effects of CSU aftercare services on persons may guide policy and national understanding of effective criminal justice diversion for persons with behavioral health disorders.
Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 10.1186/s40814-023-01361-8
PUBLISHED 6/2023
Behavioral health literacy: A new construct to improve outcomes among incarcerated residents
Pettus, C., Kennedy, S. C., Renn, T., Tripodi, S. J., Herod, L., Rudes, D., Taxman, F
In the United States, nearly 13 million adults are incarcerated in prisons and jails annually with significant negative public health consequences. Incarcerated individuals have disproportionate rates of behavioral health disorders (BHDs); untreated BHD symptoms bring people into incarceration settings and are associated with re-arrest after release. Although lack of treatment motivation is often used to explain these outcomes, individuals may have limited knowledge about BHDs and their symptoms, when and why treatment is warranted, and how to access treatment during custody and in the community. We propose a new construct called behavioral health literacy to facilitate linkage between individuals with BHDs and appropriate treatment options. In this paper, we define behavioral health literacy, review extant literature, describe why behavioral health literacy is needed, and explore how behavioral health literacy interventions may be developed to expand knowledge and guide policy and practice, ultimately improving both behavioral health outcomes and reduce criminal legal system involvement.
International Journal of Social Welfare, 1-11, 10.1111/ijsw.12624
PUBLISHED 3/2023
“… he’s going to be facing the same things that he faced prior to being locked up”: perceptions of service needs for substance use disorders”
Beeler, S., Renn, T., & Pettus, C.
High rates of substance use disorders (SUDs) exist among justice-involved populations (i.e., persons incarcerated or recently released). SUD treatment is crucial for justice-involved populations as unmet treatment need increases reincarceration risk and impacts other behavioral health sequalae. A limited understanding of health needs (i.e. health literacy) can be one reason for unmet treatment needs. Social support is critical to seeking SUD treatment and post-incarceration outcomes.
Health & Justice, 11(1), 1-13