Seattle University Criminal Justice, Criminology & Forensics

Seattle University Criminal Justice, Criminology & Forensics We are one of only ten programs in the United States to be certified by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and the only one west of the Rockies.

This is an official page of Seattle University, moderated and run by the university's marketing and communications office, and primarily by Seattle University students. We encourage comments, discussions, questions and respectful criticism and reserve the right to remove any posts or comments deemed inappropriate (hostile or profane language, racism, spam, speculation, inaccuracy, etc). Our goal i

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06/02/2026

It’s time to celebrate two decades of impact! 🥂

We are thrilled to mark the 20th Anniversary of the MACJ program here at Seattle University. Over the last 20 years, we have been dedicated to academic excellence and social justice, and we invite our students, alumni, faculty, and staff to join us in honoring this milestone.

Join us for an evening of celebration and networking as we reflect on our journey and look toward the future.

🗓 May 20th
🕕 6:00 PM

Registration is required—please sign up via the link in our bio to secure your spot! ✨

The Seattle University Criminal Justice, Criminology, & Forensics department is excited to announce the 20th Anniversary...
05/27/2026

The Seattle University Criminal Justice, Criminology, & Forensics department is excited to announce the 20th Anniversary of our MACJ program! 🦅

We invite our students, alumni, faculty, and staff to join us for an Anniversary Celebration and Networking Event. This is a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the impact our program has made over the last two decades.

Event Details:

When: Thursday, October 22 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Casey Commons, 5th Floor of the Casey Building
Registration: https://events.seattleu.edu/event/macj-20

We look forward to an evening of conversation and community. We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with you!

How can dialogue bridge the gap between incarcerated and non-incarcerated communities? 🤝 On May 8, the Seattle Universit...
04/22/2026

How can dialogue bridge the gap between incarcerated and non-incarcerated communities? 🤝 On May 8, the Seattle University Crime and Justice Research Center invites you to a transformative day of training and connection.

This year’s event features Lori P***a, the Executive Director of the International Headquarters of The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program. This is a rare opportunity for students, alumni, and justice professionals to engage in interactive sessions led by formerly incarcerated coaches.

Event Details:
-Keynote: Insights from Lori P***a on the mission of the Inside-Out Center.
-Interactive Sessions: Direct engagement focused on connecting communities.
-Certification: Participants who complete the full 8-hour program will receive a certificate of completion.

📍 Where: Online via Zoom
⏰ When: May 8, 9 AM – 5 PM
🔗 Register now: https://www.seattleu.edu/crime-and-justice-research-center/continuing-education-and-professional-training/

Don't wait—space is limited for this special session!

Seattle University community: Don't miss this rare look at how storytelling from behind prison walls can spark dialogue ...
04/21/2026

Seattle University community: Don't miss this rare look at how storytelling from behind prison walls can spark dialogue between those inside and outside the criminal justice system.

On April 28, we are thrilled to host the creators of the acclaimed Concrete Mama Podcast in Wyckoff Auditorium. This event explores the launch of Season 2 and is a required experience for our new practicum, Concrete Conversations: A Journey into Prison Life.

Event Highlights:

Meet the Creators: Conversation with the producers behind the groundbreaking series.

The Mission: Understanding the intersection of media, mental health, and incarceration.

Behind the Scenes: A look at the making of a podcast inside the Washington State Penitentiary.

📍 Where: Wyckoff Auditorium
⏰ When: April 28, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Please share widely and join us for this exciting, transformative event!

How can Seattle University further its mission of justice and leadership within the prison system? 🦅On April 27, we are ...
04/17/2026

How can Seattle University further its mission of justice and leadership within the prison system? 🦅

On April 27, we are hosting a keynote and luncheon to discuss our role in the Jesuit Prison Education Network (JPEN). We are honored to welcome Fr. Tom Curran, S.J. to lead a discussion on the impact of prison education at Jesuit institutions across the country.

Why attend?

Learn: Discover the national landscape of the Jesuit Prison Education Network.

Engage: Join the conversation on how SU can become more involved in prison education.

Act: Find out how you can support the Raskob Foundation feasibility study to launch a degree program at the Monroe Correctional Complex–Twin Rivers.

📍 Where: Student Center 130
⏰ When: Keynote at 11:30 AM | Luncheon at 12:30 PM

We look forward to seeing you there! For more information on the SU-PERR initiative, visit our department page.

Seattle University faculty and staff: Are you looking for a way to align your teaching with our Jesuit mission of justic...
04/15/2026

Seattle University faculty and staff: Are you looking for a way to align your teaching with our Jesuit mission of justice and leadership? 🦅

The Crime & Justice Research Center has received a planning grant from the Raskob Foundation to develop a BA/BS degree program at the Monroe Correctional Complex – Twin Rivers Unit. This is a powerful opportunity to make a lasting impact on a vulnerable population and foster true rehabilitation.

We are hosting online information sessions this Winter Quarter to brainstorm and answer your questions:

April 20

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM via Zoom

Check out the full schedule and join the conversation here: https://seattleu.zoom.us/j/98872190602

For our final "Student Work Spotlight," we turn our focus to rehabilitation. Mental health is often overlooked in the co...
02/27/2026

For our final "Student Work Spotlight," we turn our focus to rehabilitation. Mental health is often overlooked in the courtroom, yet 1 in 5 adults in the U.S. lives with a mental health condition. Students in Dr. Joyner-Carpanini’s class have highlighted a critical path forward: shifting from punishment to care.

The research shows that prisoners with untreated mental illness are significantly more likely to return to prison. However, the data also offers hope. A report by the Washington State Department of Corrections found that providing mental health treatment reduced recidivism rates by 28% compared to a control group. By prioritizing cognitive behavioral therapy and counseling over blind imprisonment, we can break the cycle of re-offense.

Thank you for following along with this series of exceptional student work. These infographics represent the kind of evidence-based advocacy we champion here at Seattle U.

This past Tuesday, the Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology, & Forensics was honored to host Professor Jacqueline...
02/27/2026

This past Tuesday, the Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology, & Forensics was honored to host Professor Jacqueline B. Helfgott for a powerful Winter Red Talk.

Representing our Crime & Justice Research Center, Professor Helfgott shared compelling insights on how prison education programs reshape identities and restore justice within our communities.

A heartfelt thank you to all the students and faculty who joined us at the Pigott Auditorium for this important dialogue. We are proud to foster a community dedicated to restorative justice and academic excellence.

Did you attend the talk? Share your biggest takeaway in the comments below! 👇

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Is it a crime to have nowhere to go? Our latest student research feature tackles the criminalization of homelessness, ex...
02/26/2026

Is it a crime to have nowhere to go? Our latest student research feature tackles the criminalization of homelessness, exploring the "revolving door" between the streets and the jail system. The data presented by Dr. Joyner-Carpanini’s students reveals that approximately 205,000 unhoused people are booked into jail annually, often for survival-related offenses like trespassing or sleeping in public spaces.

The disparity in treatment is striking. Unhoused individuals spend a median of 14 days in jail compared to just 2 days for housed individuals, often due to an inability to pay bail. Furthermore, over 40% of unhoused people booked are rebooked within a year. This cycle punishes poverty rather than solving it.

At Seattle University, we believe in a holistic approach to criminal justice that examines the root causes of incarceration. We invite you to view the full infographic to understand the systemic barriers facing our unhoused neighbors.

The Seattle University Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology, & Forensics proudly participated in the recent 2026 ...
02/23/2026

The Seattle University Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology, & Forensics proudly participated in the recent 2026 campus career fair, bringing together our dedicated students and leading professionals from across the justice system. Connecting students directly with local, state, and federal agencies is a cornerstone of our mission to prepare future leaders who will advocate for a more just and humane world.

During the fair, students had the chance to engage in thoughtful dialogues, learn about the day-to-day operations of various departments, and discover internship and career opportunities that align with their academic passions. It was inspiring to see so many of our future graduates actively exploring ways to make a tangible impact in their communities.

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to the representatives from the Port of Seattle Police, the Redmond Police Department, the United States Probation and Pretrial Services for the Western District of Washington, and the many other exceptional organizations that attended. Your commitment to mentoring and recruiting Seattle University students is deeply appreciated.

Please enjoy these visual highlights from the event, and join us in celebrating the bright futures of our Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Forensics students!

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901 12th Avenue PO Box 222000
Seattle, WA
98122

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