Victimization in the Criminal Justice System

Abstract

According to the Prison Policy Initiative, there are currently 2 million people incarcerated in the United States (Sawyer and Wagner 2025). Research suggests the American criminal justice system functions in a way that only perpetuates a cycle of violence. While the criminal justice system is meant to protect society, it simultaneously victimizes incarcerated people. 

When we recognize how victimization affects our lives and the societal institutions in place, we can enact systemic change that is equitable for all.

Introduction

Trauma and victimization has existed within the United States criminal justice system. Multiple forms of oppression based on a person’s intersectional identity increase their vulnerability to violence and can make it more challenging to find support that is responsive to their individual needs. For example, although women comprise 7% of the prison population, 66% of women in prison reported having a history of a mental disorder, almost twice the percentage of men (Villa 2017). 68% of women in jail reported having been diagnosed with a mental health condition, as opposed to 41% of men (Villa 2017). Additionally, research indicates that many individuals who encounter the justice system—particularly those who are incarcerated—have experienced high rates of trauma, including childhood abuse, sexual violence, and exposure to community violence.

Survey: 163 Respondents

“Victimization and Justice: A Survey on the Criminal Justice System” College Students attending higher education institutions throughout the Northeast were chosen as the sampling participants of the survey to gauge knowledge and perceptions of victims/survivors of crime, victim-offenders, and the criminal justice system.

Results

Analysis

By acknowledging the potential impact of past trauma and focusing on prevalent issues intertwined with victimization, we can create a trauma-informed, gender-responsive, survivor-centered system.

For Further Discussion

This serves as an overview of the project and does not include the complete work. To further discuss this project, please email Lily Philipczak.

Course Overview

PO 408: Senior Seminar is a capstone course for senior political science majors. Students integrate prior learning with a seminar topic announced each year, and prepare and present original research to their peers in the form of a senior thesis, related to a common seminar theme announced each year. The seminar allows students to apply the knowledge and methodology they have learned in previous courses to a particular project.

Explore Our Areas of Interest

We've sorted each of our undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs into unique Areas of Interest. Explore these categories to discover which programs and delivery methods best align with your educational and career goals.

Explore Law and Public Policy at Quinnipiac

Explore Social Sciences at Quinnipiac

References

Sawyer, Wendy, and Peter Wagner. 2025. “Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2025.” Prison Policy Initiative. https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2025.html. 

Villa, Manuel. 2017. “The Mental Health Crisis Facing Women in Prison.” The Marshall Project. https://www.themarshallproject.org/2017/06/22/the-mental-health-crisis-facing-women-in-prison.