Policy Practicum: Regilla Project: Women Incarcerated for Killing their Abusers

Nearly 1200 people are incarcerated in female correctional facilities in California and are serving lengthy sentences for murder and manslaughter convictions. It is not known in California (or in any other state) how many of these individuals are incarcerated for crimes that directly relate to histories of intimate partner violence. The Stanford Criminal Justice Center, through its Regilla Project, is attempting to assess this frequency. During Summer 2023, the Stanford Criminal Justice Center undertook data collection at the larger of the two women's prisons in California. The surveys were completed by individuals who have murder and manslaughter convictions to assess how their convictions were related to intimate partner violence. Nearly 500 individuals completed the survey during July 2023. Students enrolled in the policy lab will code the narrative portions of the survey responses (not everyone who participated in the surveys completed a narrative portion), analyze the quantitative data collected through the surveys, and assist in drafting a report for researchers, policymakers and practitioners aimed to better understand the nature of who is incarcerated and what their needs are, and to suggest front-end policy reforms. Application process: Interested students should submit a Consent of Instructor form (see Policy Lab Practicums webpage or https://registrar.law.stanford.edu/) with a copy of their resume, transcript, and statement of interest to Debbie Mukamal (dmukamal@law.stanford.edu) by September 11, 2023 at 5:00 pm. Only students who participated in the prior quarter's project will be admitted to the winter quarter practicum. The statement of interest should indicate relevant expertise, including whether the student has any data analysis experience (quantitative and/or qualitative) as well as the type of software the student has used in such data analysis. Elements used in grading: Attendance, Performance, Class Participation, Written Assignments, Final Paper. Important note: Admitted students may enroll for three units. Four units is limited to one or two students with consent of the instructors.