Temple University’s Department of Criminal Justice is nationally recognized for its groundbreaking research and for being one of the nation’s top programs in the field. Temple has our enthusiastic students, successful alumni and exacting faculty to thank for making the department what it is, and we’re keeping the focus on them by highlighting their outstanding accomplishments and current happenings here. The wide breadth of law enforcement career opportunities available to alumni opens them to diverse paths. Meanwhile, the evolving needs of the criminal justice system and its place in society presents faculty with a range of research possibilities. Read student, alumni and faculty stories below and please contact us if you have a story of your own you think we should tell.

Featured News

College of Liberal Arts

Department of Criminal Justice Recognizes Faculty with Top 2% Citation Distinction

by Criminal Justice Department
October 09
The Department of Criminal Justice is proud to have both current and former faculty members acknowledged for their career-long impact to the field of criminology by being name...
College of Liberal Arts

We Keep Us Safe! - Dr. Brittany Battle Addresses Critical Issues of Abolition Feminism at the Annual Goldkamp Lecture

by Criminal Justice Department
October 08
The Department of Criminal Justice held its annual Goldkamp Lecture, on Friday, October 4th, in memory of the late Professor John Goldkamp, recognizing his significant contrib...
College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Jamie Fader's Work Featured in Council of Juvenile Justice Administrators Webinar

by Criminal Justice Department
September 04
Dr. Jamie Fader, Associate Professor of Criminal Justice, was recently featured as the webinar speaker in a regular series sponsored by the Council of Juvenile Justice Adminis...
College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Noel Receives Summer Research Institute Fellowship for Racial Democracy Crime and Justice Network (RDCJN)

by Criminal Justice Department
September 04
Dr. Melissa E. Noel was accepted as a Fellow for the Racial Democracy, Crime and Justice Network's (RDCJN) 2024 Summer Research Institute (SRI). The SRI was held at the Unive...
College of Liberal Arts

Luis C. Torres joins the Criminal Justice Department as an Assistant Professor

by Criminal Justice Department
July 11
The Department of Criminal Justice is pleased to welcome Dr. Luis C. Torres to the faculty as Assistant Professor. Dr. Torres's research primarily focuses in the areas of cour...
College of Liberal Arts

Eilene Frierson Wins Love & Light Tour Award from the U.S. Attorney’s Office

by Criminal Justice Department
May 06
Community engagement is one of the core values of the Criminal Justice department and university. This year, we are thrilled to celebrate Eilene Frierson, the Administrative M...
College of Liberal Arts

Dr. Caterina Roman wins CLA Faculty Award for Excellence in Community Engagement

by Criminal Justice Department
April 08
Dr. Caterina Roman has won the CLA Faculty Award for Excellence in Community Engagement. Dr. Roman has contributed to community engagement in three main areas: violence reduc...
College of Liberal Arts

Study Unpacks Spirituality, Religious Participation, and Desistance from Binge Drinking

by Criminal Justice Department
April 08
PhD student Megan Mohler sole authors a new study, clarifying how spirituality and religious participation contribute to desistance from binge drinking among youth with prior...
College of Liberal Arts

Karissa Pelletier Receives New Investigator Research Award from APHA

by Criminal Justice Department
April 04
Postdoctoral Fellow Karissa Pelletier has been awarded a New Investigator Research Award from the American Public Health Association to utilize National Violent Death Reportin...
College of Liberal Arts

Research Highlights Unique Family Socialization Experiences of Children of Incarcerated Parents

by Criminal Justice Department
April 04
Dr. Melissa Noel lead-authors a new study examining how family members mitigate adverse life outcomes for adult children of incarcerated parents focusing on the role of famil...
College of Liberal Arts

New Research on the Consequences of Policy Shock for Lived Experiences of Incarcerated Persons

by Criminal Justice Department
March 11
Imposing a moratorium on parole/prison releases has been utilized as a "corrective" solution by the executive branch in reaction to high-profile homicides. Most recently, for ...
College of Liberal Arts

Temple Criminal Justice Takes Part in the 78th Annual ASC Conference in Philadelphia

by Jonathan Hernandez and Jason Gravel
December 12
The 78th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Criminology (ASC) was held in Philadelphia this year, with Professor Jamie Fader as the program's co-chair. The theme for th...
College of Liberal Arts

Temple’s Criminal Justice Department hosts a Reentry Simulation Event for Students and Faculty

by Department of Criminal Justice
November 08
Reentry from prison, also known as prisoner reentry or reintegration, refers to the process of individuals transitioning back into society after serving time in prison. It inv...

Media Mentions

Professor Sue Sullivan Interviewed on TRT World
via TRT World Live on April 23, 2024

Professor Sue Sullivan Interviewed on TRT World

Professor Sue Sullivan was interviewed live on TRT World, commentating on the opening of the criminal trial against former President Trump. 

Jason Gravel featured in The Trace about violence reduction in Philly
via The Trace on December 12, 2023

Jason Gravel featured in The Trace about violence reduction in Philly

By Jason Gravel

Professor Jason Gravel was interviewed by The Trace about the effectiveness of Philadelphia's...

Steven Windisch feautured in WHYY
via WHYY on November 29, 2023

Steven Windisch feautured in WHYY

By Jason Gravel

Professor Steven Windisch joined WHYY's Studio 2, to discuss hate crimes against Palestinian students in Vermont.

Cheryl Irons Cited as a Faculty Expert in The Washington Post
via The Washington Post on May 27, 2023

Cheryl Irons Cited as a Faculty Expert in The Washington Post

Cheryl Irons is cited as a faculty expert in the article Police agencies are desperate to hire. But they say few want the job.

Aunshul Rege Featured on BBC Africa and BBC World Service and CBC Podcasts
via BBC on February 15, 2023

Aunshul Rege Featured on BBC Africa and BBC World Service and CBC Podcasts

Criminal Justice Associate Professor Aunshul...

Sue Sullivan Interviews about Gun Control Post California Shooting
via TRT World on January 25, 2023

Sue Sullivan Interviews about Gun Control Post California Shooting

Professor Sue Sullivan provided live television commentary on TRT World regarding gun control, after the tragedy in California.

Sue Sullivan Interviews about Kevin McCarthy with TRT World
via TRT World on January 19, 2023

Sue Sullivan Interviews about Kevin McCarthy with TRT World

Professor Sue Sullivan provided live television commentary on TRT World in January, on the voting of Kevin McCarthy as leader of the U.S. House of...