Brittnie Aiello

Brittnie Aiello is a Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Merrimack College, affiliated with the School of Education and Social Policy. Her research focuses on the intersection of motherhood and incarceration, particularly how maternal identity is impacted by and used as a tool of punishment within carceral systems.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• M.A. in Sociology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
• B.A. in Sociology, Eckerd College

Her work examines themes such as maternal stigma in jails, the role of correctional education programs, and the psychological and social impacts of incarceration on mothers and their families. Recent publications explore topics like inmate access to college courses, maternal identity negotiation, and the paradoxes of punishment vs. rehabilitation in carceral settings.

No scientific awards are explicitly listed, though her research contributions to criminology and gender studies are notable. She advises no listed students but engages in collaborative correctional education initiatives with traditional students. Her work intersects with broader efforts to reform carceral policies through an intersectional lens.

Her research often centers on marginalized voices, particularly incarcerated women, and advocates for systemic change in how motherhood intersects with criminal justice systems.