Henry Jackson Jr

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Henry Jackson Jr

Professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology

Criminal Justice & Criminology

Office Hours

Monday - [12:00 to 02:30]

Tuesday - [12:00 to 02:30]

Research Interests

    Disparate Incarceration Rates and Racial Profiling

    My primary research interests explore the relationship between race, class, gender, crime and punishment. Primarily I investigate reasons why the U.S. has such high and disparate rates of incarceration. More significantly, I analyze whether punishment is the product of social structure and cultural values, comparable to the body of thought, “Sociology of Punishment,” attempting to understand legal punishment as a social phenomenon and trace its role in social life. My primary research question is does unemployment interact with race to affect imprisonment, independent of crime?

    Secondarily, my research interests and publications also include racial profiling. One of the most important issues facing American policing today is whether or not race influences routine law enforcement decisions. Literature indicates that race plays a relatively small role in a police officer’s decision on whether or not to issue a traffic citation. However, more importantly, it appears that race plays a substantial role in police officer’s decision to stop and/or search a vehicle.

Teaching Interests

    Institutional Corrections

    My teaching philosophy is reflective of my overall commitment to social justice and change through education and research. My overall aim is to persuade students to work hard in the course, come to grips with complex issues, and to build on skills that will assist them throughout their lives. I believe enthusiastic teaching connects students to the material and helps them grasp the course material.

    As a catalyst in the learning process, I see my role as someone engaged in reciprocal learning and dialogue with students. Within the classroom, I actively engage students in practical application of criminological theories and criminal justice systems. When analyzing various criminological theories, I encourage students to consider whether or not universal application is appropriate, or if factors such as race, class, and gender place limits on their applicability. When teaching the criminal justice systems and how it relates to structural inequality, I arrange for guest speakers to come to the class to share their personal and professional experiences and perspectives. Since I worked five years as a Corrections Officer for the State of Kansas, I understand how important it is for students to have the opportunity to dialogue with professionals in the field and with individuals who may have had encounters, obstacles and prospects quite marked from their own.

Education

PhD in Sociology

Kansas State University

Other in Master of Public Administration

University of Kansas

BS in Criminal Justice

Wichita State University

Published Works

    Jackson Jr, H. . "Power, Policy and Ideology of Punishment: Time-Series Analysis of the Political Economy of Punishment. (). . Jackson Jr, H. (2025). Dog-Whistle Criminal Justice Policy: Criminalization of Racial and Economic Inequality. [Manuscript in preparation]. Jackson, H., ., . . Race and the Politicking of Punishment: A Pooled Time-Series Analysis of Racialized Mass Incarceration in the U.S., 1972-2002. . Jackson , H. . Theory on Crime, Punishment and Mass Incarceration: A Time Series Hierarchical Analysis of Mass Imprisonment in the U.S.. . Jackson Jr, H., ., . (2013). Race, Economy and Punishment: Inequity and Racial Disparity in Imprisonment, 1975-2002". Criminal Justice Studies, 27(2), 226-243. . Jackson Jr, H. (2009). POWER, POLICY, AND THE IDEOLOGY OF PUNISHMENT: TIME SERIES ANALYSIS OF THE U.S. POLITICAL ECONOMY OF PUNISHMENT IN THE RACE TO INCARCERATE, 1972-2002. . Withrow, B., Dailey-Vail, J., Jackson Jr, H. (2009). The Utility of an Internal Benchmark Strategy in Racial Profiling Surveillance. Justice Research and Policy, 10(2), 19-47. . Craig-Moreland, D., Martens, G., Jackson Jr, H., Ochs, K., Harshbarger, J. (2003). "Correctional Facility Admissions and Recidivism: A Comparison of Three States". , Craig-Moreland, D., Jackson Jr, H., Ochs, K., Harshbarger, J. (2003). "Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority, Juvenile Correctional Facility Admissions Projection Update". , Craig-Moreland, D., Hales, J., Martens, G., Dotson, P., McFadden, N., Jackson Jr, H., Harshbarger, J. (2002). "Community Interest in Reintegrating Juvenile Offenders: A Comparison of "Three States". , Withrow, B., Jackson Jr, H. (2002). "Race-Based Policing: Alternatives for Assessing the Problem". Crime and Justice in America /Prentice Hall, Jackson Jr, H., Withrow, B. (2000). "Measuring Race Based Policing: A Research Note Abstract". The National McNair Journal, 9. .