Advancing Science — News from the NIJ Director

NIJ’s efforts to promote successful reentry are a year-round endeavor. Each year, Second Chance Month gives us a checkpoint to evaluate what research has taught us and what still needs to be improved.

One consistent finding from reentry research is that gender-responsive programs are more effective at meeting the unique needs that women experience in confinement and upon their reintegration into society. We recently released a fact sheet on the Five Things to Know About Women and Reentry that I encourage you to review.

Later today, I’ll be co-hosting a webinar that will explore promising practices to support women’s reentry from 2 – 3 p.m. ET. Register below!

REGISTER

On the topic of reentry, the ideal outcome of corrections is to help individuals lead productive and law-abiding lives upon reentering society. Unfortunately, prison environments in the U.S. are often not conducive to achieving these goals due to their substandard living conditions and threats of violence.

In the latest issue of Corrections Today, I authored an article on solutions to this problem by drawing on and adapting innovations from correctional practices abroad. This includes implementing more humane living environments grounded in restorative justice practices that promote safety not only for incarcerated individuals but also the staff who work in correctional facilities.

READ ARTICLE

NIJ has made considerable investments in forensic science R&D. Most recently, I was joined by our Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences Director Lucas Zarwell to conduct a congressional briefing highlighting grantees’ groundbreaking advances in DNA analysis technology, which support the mission of our National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

I also recently penned an article in Scientific American about the value of forensic genealogy that investigators have creatively leveraged to solve cold cases and offer victims’ families closure and delivery of justice.

READ MORE

Rachel Shefchek, Policy Advisor

Rachel was recently selected as a policy advisor within NIJ’s Office of the Principal Deputy Director after providing exceptional scheduling and administrative support to me as a contract employee. She has extensive experience writing detailed technical reports, analyzing internal and external policies, and conducting various assessments.

During her career as a contractor with NIJ and the State Department, Rachel has conducted comprehensive policy research and analysis, evaluated various initiatives, and fostered cross-functional partnerships to deliver results-oriented outcomes. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Science in general psychology from the University of Phoenix and a Master of Art in forensic and legal psychology from Marymount University.

Rachel Wendt, Physical Scientist

Rachel Wendt joins us as a physical scientist in the Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences. Rachel has experience conducting anthropological analyses, serving as a project lead on forensic and biological anthropological studies, and managing databases and documentation of relevant historical records and accession data.

During her career, Rachel has supported the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) in the identification of commingled skeletal remains of U.S. service members lost during WWII, including the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camps, contributed to clemency appeals, and supported the Wichita State University biological anthropology lab and biological anthropology class. Rachel has a certificate in museum studies from Northwestern University, a Bachelor of Science in biological anthropology from George Washington University, and a Master of Arts in anthropology, with a concentration in physical anthropology from Wichita State University.