I believe to be a researcher, you have to be passionate about what you're studying.

I was the first woman hired in my department in, I don't know, 50 years.

The assumption was made that I could teach women in criminal justice, although I actually hadn't done any research in that area.

I had to learn whatever I could.

And that involved looking at correctional systems and how they affect particularly women.

Some of my research is very quantitative, so we can show very clearly that women who have their needs met and feel they have their needs met tend to have better outcomes.

More recently, I have been working with qualitative data capturing the stories of the women One that really brings home the problem is a woman with the pseudonym I gave her Jolene.

she was addicted to heroin.

And when she got out, She was sent to a treatment program.

Jolene got a job, she was getting Medicaid until her salary increased slightly.

She lost access to the drug that reduces cravings for heroin.

So she immediately relapsed She did finally get help, but it was a couple of years of a really bad situation.

And so this distinction between victim and offender is very murky.

And so that's something I think people need to recognize My hope is that my research, helps people really see what's going on and some of these stereotypes will be broken, and provides ammunition for change.

It's just really an incredible honor to be named a University Distinguished Professor.

When I look at my whole career, it's been focused on highlighting the humanity, the special barriers, the talents, the efforts of people who work in the justice system, people who broke the law, and they're entangled with the justice system and people who've been victimized and suffered various kinds of injustices.

To receive this it's really a validation of going off on your own direction to some extent, and have the recognition of how important it is to study these areas.