Michael Harrington | Northern Michigan University (original) (raw)
Address: Marquette, Michigan
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Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies (IHEID), Geneva
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Papers by Michael Harrington
The illicit trade in African wildlife has a lengthy history with devastating effect on select spe... more The illicit trade in African wildlife has a lengthy history with devastating effect on select species. While considerable research addresses the impact of the trade on rhinoceros and elephant, the poaching of the reptiles, birds and marine life comprises a significantly greater volume of wildlife yet receives somewhat less attention. To better understand these aspects of the illegal trade, this study focuses on abalone, a highly desired and protected shellfish found off the Western Cape of South Africa and heavily targeted by poachers to meet demand in South Africa and parts of East Asia. Relying on qualitative data from field research, this study examines the nature of the illicit trade including poachers, smuggling techniques and the challenges for enforcement of the conservation laws through the lens of routine activity theory. The results indicate that routine activities theory may provide a viable theoretical construct to better understand the nature of abalone poaching and develop solutions to the problem.
Recent research has examined the use of the total incarceration variable. The results of these st... more Recent research has examined the use of the total incarceration variable. The results of these studies have shown that the factors affecting a decision to sentence an offender to jail are different than those influencing a prison sentence. These studies have suggested that disentangling jail and prison sentences will enhance our understanding of how race influences sentence outcomes. Neither of these studies examined the sentence-length portion using the expanded definition of the total incarceration variable. The research presented here examines the validity of using the total incarceration variable and whether the same factors affect the length of a jail sentence as those affecting the length of a prison sentence. The implication for future research is discussed.
The effect of legal and extralegal factors on felony sentence outcomes has been widely studied, t... more The effect of legal and extralegal factors on felony sentence outcomes has been widely studied, typically using a total incarceration variable that defines sentence outcomes as incarceration or probation. Research conducted by Holleran and Spohn has called this into question, revealing that factors that affected jail sentences were different than those that affected prison sentences and demonstrating that the conclusions one would draw regarding the influence of extralegal offender characteristics such as race and ethnicity differ depending on the way in which sentence was defined. The authors replicate and extend the research conducted by Holleran and Spohn, using several operational definitions of the decision to incarcerate or not, focusing on sentence outcomes for offenders convicted of felonies in a jurisdiction with an indeterminate sentencing system. Results provide compelling evidence in support of Holleran and Spohn.
The illicit trade in African wildlife has a lengthy history with devastating effect on select spe... more The illicit trade in African wildlife has a lengthy history with devastating effect on select species. While considerable research addresses the impact of the trade on rhinoceros and elephant, the poaching of the reptiles, birds and marine life comprises a significantly greater volume of wildlife yet receives somewhat less attention. To better understand these aspects of the illegal trade, this study focuses on abalone, a highly desired and protected shellfish found off the Western Cape of South Africa and heavily targeted by poachers to meet demand in South Africa and parts of East Asia. Relying on qualitative data from field research, this study examines the nature of the illicit trade including poachers, smuggling techniques and the challenges for enforcement of the conservation laws through the lens of routine activity theory. The results indicate that routine activities theory may provide a viable theoretical construct to better understand the nature of abalone poaching and develop solutions to the problem.
Recent research has examined the use of the total incarceration variable. The results of these st... more Recent research has examined the use of the total incarceration variable. The results of these studies have shown that the factors affecting a decision to sentence an offender to jail are different than those influencing a prison sentence. These studies have suggested that disentangling jail and prison sentences will enhance our understanding of how race influences sentence outcomes. Neither of these studies examined the sentence-length portion using the expanded definition of the total incarceration variable. The research presented here examines the validity of using the total incarceration variable and whether the same factors affect the length of a jail sentence as those affecting the length of a prison sentence. The implication for future research is discussed.
The effect of legal and extralegal factors on felony sentence outcomes has been widely studied, t... more The effect of legal and extralegal factors on felony sentence outcomes has been widely studied, typically using a total incarceration variable that defines sentence outcomes as incarceration or probation. Research conducted by Holleran and Spohn has called this into question, revealing that factors that affected jail sentences were different than those that affected prison sentences and demonstrating that the conclusions one would draw regarding the influence of extralegal offender characteristics such as race and ethnicity differ depending on the way in which sentence was defined. The authors replicate and extend the research conducted by Holleran and Spohn, using several operational definitions of the decision to incarcerate or not, focusing on sentence outcomes for offenders convicted of felonies in a jurisdiction with an indeterminate sentencing system. Results provide compelling evidence in support of Holleran and Spohn.