Books — Jacqueline B. Helfgott, PhD

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Jacqueline B. Helfgott, PhD

Jacqueline B. Helfgott, PhD

Copycat Crime: How Media, Technology, and Digital Culture Inspire Criminal Behavior and Violence (2023, Bloomsbury)

Details the new phenomena of copycat crime inspired by technology and the hyperreality fueled in some people by digital culture and video games. The world has shifted from a place where one-dimensional televised news each evening and newspapers brought or bought each morning provided the only information on crimes and killings. Now, nonstop, instant global news coverage on 24-hour television and the internet enables people to see and replay not only crime, violence, terrorism, and murder coverage provided by journalists in real time, but also Facebook and YouTube feeds filmed by the criminals themselves while perpetrating the crimes. In this riveting text about the consequences of our technical, digital, and cultural changes, Helfgott focuses on how these advances are perpetuating this era's new and more massively deadly acts. The book intertwines vignettes from current events, perpetrator statements, police reports, and current research to show how copycat crimes are linked to media, technology, and our digital culture. Concluding with recommendations to reduce the criminogenic effects of media, technology, and digital culture, this book also includes an appendix listing technology and media-influenced copycat crimes. For case studies featured in the book, see Copycat Crime on TikTok and Instagram.

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40584296._UY630_SR1200,630_.jpg — No Remorse: Psychopathy and Criminal Justice (2019, Praeger/ABC-CLIO)

An in-depth interdisciplinary perspective on psychopathy suitable for those interested in criminology and criminal justice, sociology, psychology, anthropology, and other social science as well as general knowledge.The book examines ways in which the construct of psychopathy has made their way into criminological theory and criminal justice practice. It offers a focused look at how the term "psychopath" is used and understood in law enforcement, courts, corrections, victim services, and juvenile justice and the role of remorse in the criminal justice process. Additionally, it examines historical, research, and cultural perspectives on psychopathy for understanding criminal behavior, exploring theories of and research into psychopaths, psychopathy and gender, and representations of psychopaths in film and literature.

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Criminal Psychology (Volumes 1-4) (2013, Praeger/ABC-CLIO)

This comprehensive, four-volume reference set on the subject of criminal psychology includes contributions from top scholars and practitioners in the field, explaining new and emerging theory and research in the study of the criminal mind and criminal behavior. Unfortunately, criminal behavior surrounds us in our society―from petty theft and vandalism to multimillion-dollar white-collar crime to shocking terrorism attempts and school killings. Invariably, one of the first questions is, "Why did they do it?" Criminal psychology seeks to solve this complex puzzle.In this four-volume reference work, a unparalleled team of leading experts offer an exhaustive look at the history, developments, emerging and classic research issues, controversies, and victories in the expanding field of criminal psychology. The first volume examines the general theories in the study of criminal psychology. The second volume focuses more specifically on research of criminal behavior and crime types, while the last two volumes delve into criminal justice and forensic applications. The comprehensive content allows readers to better understand criminal behavior and appreciate the specific criminal justice and forensic settings in which this theory and research is applied, such as criminal profiling, forensic assessment of danger, and correctional rehabilitation and offender reentry.

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Criminal Behavior: Theories, Typologies, and Criminal Justice (2008, Sage Publications)

Rich in historical and contemporary theory and research, Criminal Behavior: Theories, Typologies, and Criminal Justice is a comprehensive core text that provides an interdisciplinary overview of criminal behavior by examining relevant crime theories, explanations of how and why crime typologies are developed, literature reviews for major crime categories, and discussions of how crime theories and crime typologies are used throughout the criminal justice process. Focusing on relevant themes and current issues, this text also looks closely at categorizations of criminal behavior, the relationship between crime and pop culture, mass media, and computer technology, and gender issues and crime. This engaging book applies theory and research to real-world criminal justice practice. PDF version of the book available HERE.

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Women leading justice_Cover.png — Women Leading Justice: Experience and Insights (2019, Routledge)

The women’s movement and increasing social consciousness regarding gender disparity and discrimination has helped to make gains over the past several decades to reduce gender disparity for women in the workplace. However, gender discrimination and disparity continue to exist. Women continue to receive lower wages, and fewer opportunities for promotion and professional advancement – and this is particularly true in male dominated professions such as criminal justice. Building on original qualitative data, this book explores the experiences of female criminal justice professionals who have risen to the top of their professional ladders. The book includes first-hand narrative accounts of high ranking successful professional women working across a range of fields such as policing, courts, corrections, victim and restorative justice services and criminal justice research agencies in the United States and Canada. This book highlights the barriers that successful female criminal justice professionals have to overcome to obtain their positions, and identifies key themes that these women see as having allowed them to break through those barriers and to navigate their professional environments. This book provides students interested in entering the criminal justice field – and working professionals already in the field – with knowledge about women who have risen through the ranks and up the professional ladder to break through the glass and the brass ceilings of their profession.

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Offender Reentry_Cover.jpg — Offender Reentry: Beyond Crime and Punishment (2013, Lynne Rienner)

In this comprehensive exploration of the core issues surrounding offender reentry, Elaine Gunnison and Jacqueline Helfgott highlight the constant tension between policies meant to ensure smooth reintegration and the social forces--especially the stigma of a criminal record--that can prevent it from happening. Gunnison and Helfgott focus on the factors that enhance reentry success as they address challenges related to race, class, and gender. Drawing on accounts from corrections professionals and former inmates to illustrate the real-life consequences of reentry policy, they shed light on one of the key criminal justice issues of our time.

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