An Analysis of Student Opinions on Former Convict Professors

Abstract: Recently numerous convicts, upon release from prison, have been pursuing advanced education as an avenue for successful re-entry. A small group of ex-convicts have been conducting research, and/or teaching Criminal Justice or Sociology courses at universities worldwide. Using survey questionnaires, students majoring in Criminology and Criminal Justice (CJ) at a midsized Midwestern university were asked how they would react to a course that is taught by a former convict. The findings from this research suggest that the vast majority of CJ students would welcome professors with a criminal history into the classroom. Consequently, policies implemented within various universities of not employing those convicted of felony offenses may be ill advised as students’ value the diversity a convict criminologist would bring to the classroom.