Hayden Smith

Hayden P. Smith is Professor of Criminology & Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina's McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. His research examines the criminal justice-public health intersection, specializing in correctional suicide prevention, officer wellness, and Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) implementation. With over $1 million in research funding, he has published extensively in top journals including Justice Quarterly and Criminal Justice & Behavior.

Research focuses on mental health in corrections, self-injurious behaviors, program evaluation methodologies, and standards of care. Recent studies analyze COVID-19 impacts in carceral settings, correctional officer resilience, and PREA policy effectiveness. His work informs evidence-based practices for correctional systems nationwide.