Dr. Connie Ireland

Assisant Professor of Criminal Justice

Education

Ph.D. -- University of California Irvine (Criminology, Law and Society)
M.A. -- University of California Irvine (Social Ecology)
B.A. -- University of California Irvine (Criminology, Law and Society)
B.A. -- University of California Irvine (Psychology and Social Behavior)

Statement of Professional Engagement:

Dr. Ireland’s research specialization focuses on prison and parole.  Her primary interest is in the impact of sentencing laws and incarceration practices on recidivism rates in California.  Her current research explores components of prison and parole that lead to greater parolee success when returning home from prison, with particular focus on such factors as offender criminal history, drug history and treatment efforts; prison based educational, vocational, and rehabilitation programs; parole agent supervision style, approach with parolees, and program referral practices; and delivery of services by providers in the community.  Dr. Ireland has a secondary interest in court evaluation research, particularly related to alternative sentencing and the use of specialized courts such as DUI court, Drug court, etc.  Dr. Ireland employs both qualitative and quantitative methodologies to address these questions.

Research Interests

• Parole and Parole Agents (particularly in California)
• Prisoner Reentry
• Evaluation of Specialized Courts